
Class JSX-^J -■- 
Bnnlc ,A-7 



Copyrights 



o l«K>3 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE 



CLASS LEADER 



HIS WORK AND 
HOW TQ DO IT 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF PRINCIPLES, 
NEEDS. METHODS, AND RESULTS 



By JOHN ATKINSON, A.M. 

AUTHOR OF " THE GARDEN OF SORROWS" 



ELE VENT II THO US. 1 ND. 



NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS 
CINCINNATI : CURTS & JENNINGS 






THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two Copies Received 

JUL 1 1903 

n Copyright Entry 
'CLASS *_ XXc. No 
COPY B. 



903 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by 

NELSON & PHILLIPS, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 

Copyright by- 
Kate L. Ackinson 
1903 



o 
LL 



PREFACE 



r Up^HE class-meeting is a peculiar, conspicuous, and 
•u^T powerful agency of Methodism. Class Leaders 
^-- 7 ^ are invaluable and indispensable co-workers with 
the ministry. It is remarkable that an institution of such 
potency, and a class of laborers so numerous, gifted, and 
useful, have not received larger attention from Methodist 
writers. Only two or three small volumes and a few 
tracts, specifically devoted to this subject, are extant in 
the whole range of American Methodist publications, 
and of these scarcely any were written within the last 
two decades. A fresh, practical, and comprehensive 
treatise is, therefore, an acknowledged want. Whether 
the present volume shall, in any degree, supply this want, 
its readers will determine. Its material has been care- 
fully collated, and its preparation throughout has been 
painstaking. It is offered to the Church with the hope 
that it may, to some extent, supplement the too few ex- 
cellent works on this subject. 

It is not an argument in behalf of class-meetings and 
Class Leaders, nor a defense of them. They are vindi- 
cated by the work of a hundred years. It is an attempt 
rather to answer with a degree of explicitness and full- 
ness such questions as : What is the office of a Class 
Leader, and what is his work ? How may they be best 
fulfilled ? What is the duty of members and pastors in 
relation to the class-meeting, and how can it be made 



4 Preface. 

most effective ? Not all is said that might be, yet there are 
few practical aspects of the subject which are not treated 
either incidentally or at length. As soon as I determined 
to write the book I settled the first preliminary, which 
was, that the best knowledge and ideas of various minds, 
thoroughly familiar with the work of the class-room, were 
indispensable to the construction of an adequate treatise. 
I therefore issued, through the kind offices of the pub- 
lishers, Messrs. Nelson & Phillips, a request that Class 
Leaders, pastors, and others would furnish me such 
ideas, facts, methods, etc., as they might possess in rela- 
tion to the institution. It was published in the " Chris- 
tian Advocate," " The Western Christian Advocate," 
"The Northwestern Christian Advocate," and an ab- 
stract of it in " Zion's Herald." To the editors of those 
journals I hereby return my thanks. 

The communications I received in response to this re- 
quest from various parts of the Church were most gratify- 
ing. They came from the East, West, North, and South. 
With scarcely an exception they were serviceable, and 
some of them, in the thought, discrimination, and practical 
sagacity they displayed, were of high excellence. A very 
few of these contributions were of the nature of sugges- 
tion and advice to me personally in relation to my task, 
and, consequently, not such as I could introduce into my 
pages. In most instances, however, I have made free 
use of the letters by weaving their pertinent thoughts 
into the substance of the work. The name of the writer 
quoted is generally given. The following gentlemen, in 
compliance with my published request, have kindly fa- 
vored me with communications, one or more each, on 
the subject of this book : William Kennedy, Hunting- 
don, Pa. ; H.H. Webb, Jersey City, N.J. ; I. N. Kanaga, 
Newark, N. J. ; Wm. Farnell, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; P. Crane, 



Preface. 5 

Geneva, N. Y. ; D. H. Hanaburg, Florida, N. Y. ; Dr. 
Jacob Hunt, Utica, N. Y. ; William H. Wolffe, Cincin- 
nati, O. ; J. Dubois, Cincinnati, O. ; James H. V. Smith, 
Indianapolis, Ind. ; Thos. R. Batten, Seneca, 111. ; Henry 
P. Price, Rock Falls, 111.; R. Mapel, Keokuk, Iowa; 
H. T. Martin, Ontario, Iowa. The above are, or for- 
merly were, Class Leaders, and I believe nearly all of 
them are now actively devoted to that work. The min- 
isters from whom I have received letters are the Rev. D. 
De Vinne, New York East Conference ; the Rev. Charles 
Morgan, Providence Conference ; the Rev. C. M. Morse, 
Jun., Kentucky Conference ; the Rev. Charles Tinsley, 
South-eastern Indiana Conference ; the Rev.W. R. Good- 
win, D. D., Illinois Conference; the Rev. J. H. .Ailing, 
Rock River Conference ; the Rev. Alfred Brunson, D. D., 
West Wisconsin Conference. Besides these, I have re- 
ceived a communication from a venerable Methodist 
lady of Brooklyn, N. Y., one from a Class Leader 
in the same city, and one from the Rev. William H. 
De Puy, D.D., Associate Editor of the " Christian Advo- 
cate." To these, my co-workers in the preparation of 
this volume, I hereby express my profound gratitude. I 
cannot but believe that they have rendered valuable and 
abiding service to a great interest of Methodism and of 
Christianity. 

In addition to the above list of valuable original docu- 
ments, I have gathered, chiefly from the tiles of the 
" Christian Advocate," where they were scattered in frag- 
mentary and ephemeral form through many years, some 
of the best thoughts of several of our greatest thinkers 
on this subject. These I have appropriated to my 
purpose, with proper acknowledgment. Valuable ideas, 
facts, reminiscences, and suggestions are embodied in 
these pages from the early and later Bishops of the 



6 Preface. 

Church ; namely, Coke and Asbury, Waugh, Janes, and 
Thomson. Also from such authorities as the Rev. Drs. 
Bond and Levings, Revs. J. B. Finley, T. Spicer, P. 
Vannest, and J. Bissey, of the last of whom Mr. Thomas 
R. Batten, of Seneca, 111., incidentally says in his letter, 
in a reference to his associates of other years : " Jonas 
Bissey, who went from the pulpit to glory by a thunder- 
bolt." All the others here named, except one, have also 
gone to their rest, but some of their thoughts and recol- 
lections in relation to the class-meeting are treasured up 
in this volume. From various other writers, some of 
them anonymous, I have derived important aid. I have 
also turned to account excellent suggestions received 
from intelligent and experienced friends with whom I 
have had the privilege of conversing about my task. 
The work, however, is not a compilation, but is original 
in plan and in execution. 

As a result of all these helps, and of the guidance of 
so many landmarks and beacons, I indulge the trust that 
the book is such as will, with the Divine blessing, con- 
tribute in some measure to the increased attractiveness 
and usefulness of class-meetings, and to the larger suc- 
cess of Leaders in their high and holy service. To the 
Rev. Dr.Whedon, the Editor of the " Methodist Quarterly 
Review " and of the General Catalogue Publications of 
the Book Concern, I am indebted for the encouragement 
he has kindly and constantly given me in this labor. 



CONTENTS 



Chapter Page 

I. The Office of Class Leader 9 

II. Six Things a Class Leader Should 

Have 21 

III. The Leader and the Church 60 

IV. A Joyous Religion 67 

V. Mutual Edification 83 

VI. Reclaiming Wanderers 97 

VII. The Stranger 113 

VIII. The Poor 120 

IX. The Leader in the Sick Room 137 

X. The Troubled 152 

XI. Hinderances to Class-Meetings 159 

XII. How to Lead a Class 191 

XIII. Different Methods of Leading 

Class 221 

XIV. The Pastor 242 

XV. Revivals 255 

XVI. The Care of Converts 278 

XVII. Children and Children's Classes... 307 

XVIII. Training Christian Workers 323 



THE CLASS LEADER 



CHAPTER I. 

THE OFFICE OF CLASS LEADER. 

tHE Methodist Episcopal Church is dis- 
tinguished as an organization which se- 
cures thorough supervision of all departments 
of its work. Every interest is watched over. 
Its various officers are charged with the duty 
of overseeing the particular interests committed 
to them, and these officers together constitute 
a vast array of sentinels, whose scrutiny ex- 
tends from the grand body to each individual. 
Nothing is overlooked, unless these sentinels 
be guilty of negligence and unfaithfulness. 

Let us glance at this remarkable system of 
supervision. 



io The Class Leader. 

In the first place, the General Conference is 
the supreme regulator and law-giving power of 
the whole Church. It appoints General Super- 
intendents called Bishops, whom it charges 
with the duty of traveling through the Church 
at large, that they may inspect its work, pro- 
vide preaching and pastoral oversight for all its 
congregations, and from their knowledge of the 
whole work, distribute the ministers the most 
wisely among the Churches. The Bishops are 
responsible to the General Conference, which 
every four years subjects their administration to 
a careful review, and if need be, to correction. 

The Annual Conferences, into which the 
whole Church is divided, are the chief super- 
vising bodies in the territory embraced within 
their respective bounds. To them the preach- 
ers are responsible for their conduct and ad- 
ministration. No clergyman can pass unchal- 
lenged by his Conference if he be suspected of 
immorality or of wrong administration. 

The Churches in each Annual Conference 
are arranged into districts, and every district 



The Office of Class Leader. 1 1 

is placed under the supervision of a Presiding 
Elder. This office is supplementary to that of 
Bishop, the Bishops being unable, .because of 
the great extent of the work, to exercise- that 
minute oversight of the ministers and Churches 
which is necessary. The Presiding Elders are, 
therefore, in fact,' assistant Bishops. They 
travel over their districts about four times a 
year, preaching in all the churches, presiding 
at the love-feasts — which reveal by the relig- 
ious testimonies therein given the spiritual 
condition of the membership — and holding 
Quarterly Conferences, in which is brought 
under review, once a quarter, the condition of 
the individual Churches. They make them- 
selves acquainted with the laity and ministry, 
and advise the Bishop respecting them. 

There are also District Conferences, which 
examine into the qualifications of candidates for 
license to preach, and are empowered to grant 
licenses to such candidates as they judge to 
be worthy. This Conference also reviews an- 
nually the character and labors of the Local 



\2 The Class Leader. 

Preachers and Exhorters, and renews or with- 
holds their license. 

Each individual Church, also, is furnished 
with a perfect system of supervision. The pas- 
tor is the bishop or overseer of the entire mem- 
bership of the charge to which he is appointed. 
It is his business to watch over their souls ; to 
exercise discipline ; to teach, reprove, rebuke, 
with all authority ; to statedly preach the Gos- 
pel ; to visit from house to house ; and to ad- 
minister the sacraments. 

The pastor, however, cannot exercise all the 
requisite personal oversight. The membership 
in many churches is numerous, the demands 
made upon the pulpit are more and more stern, 
requiring a large amount of time to be given by 
the preacher to the studies and thinking nec- 
essary to the preparation of the Sabbath ser- 
mons ; and with the numerous calls and inter- 
ruptions inseparable from his office, it is im- 
possible for him to give that thorough attention 
to all the details of spiritual superintendence 
which the care of souls demands. The Church 



The Office of Class Leader. 1 3 

has made most wise and adequate provision for 
enabling the pastor to make his supervision 
complete by means of the services of Class 
Leaders. 

All the members in full connection, and all 
on probation, are placed in classes, and each 
class is put in charge of a Leader. It is his 
office to see each person under his care once a 
week, that he may know the state of their souls. 
His office, therefore, is spiritual supervision. 

This was the intention of Mr. Wesley. He 
says, " I called together all the Leaders of the 
classes, (so we used to term them and their 
companies,) and desired that each would make 
a particular inquiry into the behavior of those 
whom he saw weekly. They did so. Many 
disorderly walkers were detected. Some turned 
from the evil of their ways. Some were put 
away from us. Many saw it with fear, and re- 
joiced unto God with reverence." 

The Leaders visited the members of their 

classes at their own houses at first, but this 

being found inexpedient, it was, says Mr. Wes- 
2 



14 The Class Leader. 

ley, " agreed that those of each class should 
meet altogether. And by this means a more 
full inquiry was made into the behavior of 
every person. Those who could not be visited 
at home, or no otherwise than in company, had 
the same advantage with others. Advice or 
reproof was given as need required ; quarrels 
made up, misunderstandings removed ; and 
after an hour or two spent in this labor of love, 
they concluded with prayer and thanksgiving." 
The founder of Methodism sought, through 
the Leaders, to ascertain the condition of the 
membership. " February 2, 1747, 1 began," he 
says, " examining the classes ; having desired 
the Leaders, such as had leisure, to give me a 
short account in writing of those under their 
care. Among others I received the following 
note : ' Dear Sir, I hope my class are bending 
one way. K. T., etc., seem to retain their con- 
fidence in the Lord. W. R., etc., seem to be 
shut up in a fog, and are not able to get out on 
any side. They are very dead, and yet very 
sore ; nothing seems to do them any good, un- 



The Office of Class Leader, 1 5 

less it be smooth as oil and yet sharp as a razor. 
M. S., etc., seem to be in earnest, seeking the 
Lord. J. T., etc., appear to have a desire, and 
to be widely seeking something.' ,: 

Mr. Wesley kept himself thus advised re- 
specting the condition of the Societies through 
the Leaders ; and an adequate oversight of the 
spiritual affairs of our Churches can now only 
be maintained by means of the same agency. 

As the Presiding Elder is, in our economy, an 
assistant or sub-bishop, so is the Class Leader 
a sub-pastor. Bishops Coke and Asbury, in 
their Notes to the Discipline of 1777, say, 
" Every Leader is in some degree a Gospel 
minister ; " and the Bishops, in their Address 
to the General Conference of i860, designate 
the office of Leader, a " sub-pastorate." The 
Leader, then, is to care not simply for his class 
collectively, but for all the members separately. 
He should at all times be able to report to the 
pastor, as in the instance given by Mr. Wesley, 
respecting the religious experience and life of 
each. He should be acquainted with their way 



i6 The Class Leader. 

of living in the world, so that any thing wrong 
in their conduct may be corrected, and the 
Church not be permitted to suffer because of 
the disorderly behavior of any member. 

This part of a Leader's office is of very great 
importance because of the fact that a pastor is 
often removed after a service of one or two 
years in a Church, and, if not then, must be 
changed at the end of three years. It therefore 
happens that for a large portion of the time the 
minister is comparatively a stranger, personally, 
to most of the Church-members, and cannot 
know with any defmiteness concerning their 
walk except as he obtains information from 
others ; and it is the office of the Leader to 
render him that information. 

But the Leader cannot do this without pains- 
taking. He must watch his flock like a shep- 
herd. If he simply hold class-meeting once a 
week, and look no further after his members, 
his knowledge of them will be very imperfect. 
He should knoiv the?ii, not simply in the class- 
room, but in their daily life, their company, 



The Office of Class Leader. if 

diversions, business ; in their besetments, per- 
plexities, discouragements ; their temptations, 
falls, and uprisings. He should know their 
peculiarities of character, temperament, and 
condition, and so be able to rightly admonish, 
advise, and encourage them, and communicate 
to the pastor what it is needful for him to know 
concerning each. 

By such means only can the thorough and 
intelligent spiritual supervision which the 
Church, by its economy, contemplates, be ex- 
ercised over all the membership. " No public 
ministrations will be sufficient to maintain the 
life of religion in individuals, or to preserve the 
purity of the body, without faithful Leaders in 
the Society. The hedge of discipline cannot 
be kept up, nor proper order be enforced, with- 
out the aid of Leaders. But this aid cannot be 
expected of them unless they be men of God. 
If they be not strictly and universally conscien- 
tious, they will not help their preachers to urge 
the observance of our rules." — Cautions and 
Directions Addressed to Class Leaders. 



1 8 The Class Leader. 

Mr. Wesley at one time, while investigating 
the affairs of the Society in Dublin, read to the 
Leaders a paper on the nature of their office, 
in which he says : — 

" ' i. That it may be more easily discerned 
whether the members of our Societies are 
working out their own salvation, they are di- 
vided into little companies called Classes. One 
person in each of these is styled the Leader. 
It is his business, (i,) To see each person in 
his Class once a week, to inquire how their 
souls prosper ; to advise, reprove, comfort, or 
exhort them : (2,) To receive what they are will- 
ing to give toward the expenses of the Society : 
and, (3,) To meet the Assistant* and the Stew- 
ards once a week. 

" ' 2. This is the whole and sole business of a 
Leader, or any number of Leaders. But it is 
common for the Assistant in any place, when 
several Leaders are met together, to ask their 
advice as to any thing that concerns either the 

* The Assistant was the preacher in charge under Mr. 
Wesley. 



The Office of Class Leader. 19 

temporal or spiritual welfare of the Society. 
This he may or he may not do, as he sees best. 
I frequently do it in the larger Societies ; and 
on many occasions I have found, that in a 
multitude of counselors there is safety. 

" * 3. From this short view of the original de- 
sign of Leaders it is easy to answer the follow- 
ing questions : — 

" ' (1.) What authority has a single Leader? 

" ' He has authority to meet his Class, to re- 
ceive their contributions, and to visit the sick 
in his Class. 

" '(2.) What authority have all the Leaders 
of a Society met together ? 

" ' They have authority to show their Class- 
papers to the Assistant, to deliver the money 
they have received to the Stewards, and to 
bring in the names of the sick. 

" ' (3.) But have they not authority to restrain 
the Assistant if they think he acts improperly? 

" ' No more than any member of the Society 
has. After mildly speaking to him, they are 
to refer the thing to Mr. W. 



20 The Class Leader. 

" ' (4.) Have they not authority to hinder a 
person from preaching. 

" ' None but the Assistant has this au- 
thority. 

" ' (5.) Have they not authority to displace a 
particular Leader ? 

" ' No more than the door-keeper has. To 
place and to displace Leaders belongs to the 
Assistant alone. 

"'(6.) Have they not authority to expel a 
particular member of the Society? 

" ' No : the Assistant only can do this. 

" ' (7.) But have they not authority to regu- 
late the temporal and spiritual affairs of the 
Society? 

" ' Neither the one nor the other. Temporal 
affairs belong to the Stewards ; spiritual to the 
Assistant.' " 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 21 



CHAPTER II. 

SIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVE. 
~\ , Q^7'HAT is it to be a Class Leader? This 




question is not difficult to answer. A 
Class Leader is one who leads a class. But this 
answer makes one no wiser. To give an an- 
swer which shall compass the whole question, 
and furnish a real and vivid portraiture of a true 
Class Leader, is not so easy. This I propose 
to try to furnish. 

There are several elements necessary to make 
a Class Leader worthy of the name. None of 
them can be absent. A single vital deficiency 
is fatal. There are numerous things that are 
desirable, and the possession of which would 
contribute to the influence and efficiency of a 
Leader, such as being a good singer, having an 
eloquent utterance, and a pleasing countenance; 
but they are not necessary. There are other 
elements that are indispensable, lacking which 



22 The Class Leader. 

no man ought to be a Leader. Of the latter, 
and not the former, I propose now to speak. 

I. The Working Spirit. 

I once knew two men, members of the same 
Church, who each held the position of Leader. 
They met their classes regularly ; but they were 
seldom at the weekly prayer-meeting, and could 
not be induced to take part in revival work. In 
special meetings for the conversion of sinners, 
while from night to night the pastor and the 
earnest portion of the membership were toiling 
at the altar, they were found in stores talking 
about the affairs of the town, and listening to 
the general gossip. Standard-bearers in the 
Christian army, they fled from the field in the 
time of serious engagement. Were they Class 
Leaders? They bore the name, they enjoyed 
the honor of the position ; but — I press the 
question — were they really Leaders ? 

Another Class Leader I knew who was quite 
active in the work of the altar in the time of 
revival, but whose seat in Church when there 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 23 

was no revival was vacant at more than two 
thirds of the services. Regular in meeting the 
class ; gifted in prayer, in song, and in speech ; 
yet habitually absent from the house of God 
more than two services in three — was this per- 
son a true Class Leader ? I think there can 
be no hesitation in the mind of any one who 
has just views of this office in rendering an 
emphatic nay. 

These three persons whom I have described 
are representative cases. They belong to classes 
which are fearfully large. Their counterparts 
can be found in all portions of the land. 
Their sad example works evil, it is to be feared, 
more than their counsels and prayers in the 
class-room can ever avail for good. They are 
heavy weights upon the Church. They are 
Class Leaders only in name. They are hin- 
derances instead of helps to the spirituality of 
the membership, and to the Church's aggress- 
ive warfare upon the world. 

We get, then, in the light of these examples, 
a perception of the first thing which is abso- 



24 The Class Leader. 

lutely essential to constitute a true Class Leader 
— namely, that he have a mind to work. 

To be a Class Leader, in the true sense, is to 
be a Christian worker. It were better, I hesi- 
tate not to say, to have no Class Leaders at all 
than to have the office filled by men who have 
no zeal for God, no love for souls, no heart for 
earnest spiritual labor. The Leader of a class 
is, as we have shown, in a sense, a pastor ; and 
his work is of such a nature that he cannot 
perform it unless he be alive to it, and have a 
love for doing it. 

That he may be a useful worker in the 
Church it is not only necessary that he have a 
disposition to labor, but also that his example 
in the Church be good and wholesome. What 
does it avail that the Leader manifest much 
ardor and emotion in a time of revival, and be 
instant in season and out of season, if in other 
times he show no love for the prayer-meet- 
ing or for the public worship of God on the 
Sabbath ? 

No man can exert a healthful spiritual influ- 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 2$ 

ence in a Church who is inconstant and irregu- 
lar in his attendance at his own Church. This 
is especially the case if he be a Leader. Where 
is he ? will be the question that will arise in 
the minds of scores as they see his seat vacant. 
Why not here ? Does he not love the house 
and the word of God ? Is he sleeping, visit- 
ing, recreating, entertaining company, or wan- 
dering around to other Churches in search of 
novelty and excitement ? These, and inquiries 
of like import, will be made mentally from 
Sabbath to Sabbath by numbers who will never 
speak them aloud ; and perhaps by some who 
may not be so discreet. 

Such a course cannot but impair the useful- 
ness of any Church member, and especially of a 
Church officer. No matter how fluent his utter- 
ance, or tearful his eyes, or pathetic his tones 
when he addresses his members in the class- 
room, or labors among the serious and penitent 
in revivals, there will be a sad lack in all his 
exercises of that power which only a good and 
well-directed personal influence can give. An 



26 The Class Leader. 

indispensable requisite in a real Class Leader 
is, that he love the Church's ordinances and 
regularly attend them. He must be able to 
say, " I had rather be a door-keeper in the 
house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of 
wickedness." 

II. Blamelessness. 

Another thing which cannot be dispensed 
with in a Class Leader is, blamelessness of life. 
He is a teacher of experimental and practical 
religion, and it is necessary that his life be in 
harmony with its teachings. If he be a busi- 
ness man he must illustrate the principles of 
Christianity in his business. His integrity 
must be beyond question. 

I once knew a Leader who was a very active 
and prosperous man of business, but who was 
quite generally spoken of, among even his breth- 
ren in the Church, as addicted to suspicious 
business methods. Now and again it would be 
said that he was "tricky." He would not al- 
ways faithfully represent his goods, and would 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 27 

take advantage of the ignorance or weakness 
of a customer to secure the best of the bar- 
gain. Such, at least, was the reputation he bore. 
While some would not credit these things, and 
adhered to him strongly, others had little con- 
fidence in his religious professions. Now this 
man's influence was weak just at the point 
where it should have been strong : it was evil 
where it ought to have been good. 

Another Leader, who was a married man, was 
remarked by his members for his special atten- 
tions to and familiarity with a certain female 
member of his class. He was apparently very 
devout, his exercises in the class-room were 
very emotional, but his honor was suspected. 
So strong became the suspicions that some of 
his members resolved to test them. Their in- 
vestigations resulted in the discovery of griev- 
ous moral aberration, and he was displaced from 
his office and cast out of the Church. Yet for 
some time he had exercised the leadership 
while his influence was most damaging to the 
cause he professed to serve. 



28 The Class Leader. 

Another man whom I knew was a Leader, 
and continually accused of falsehood. It was 
difficult, if not impossible, to get direct proof of 
palpable lying, and yet such was his volubility 
and recklessness of speech that his word had 
very little value with many who knew him. He 
did not have a nice sense of truth, nor did he 
always exercise strict fidelity to it in his utter- 
ances. As a consequence many, both in and 
out of the Church, had no confidence in his 
veracity. 

Such examples show the absolute necessity of 
moral blamelessness in those who are leaders of 
the flock. They must be men of good report. 
If they be slandered, they must remove the 
slander and vindicate their integrity. If they 
do not, no gifts, or social standing, or wealth, 
or any thing else, can render them influential 
Class Leaders. They must be beyond re- 
proach and above suspicion or their religious 
counsels and admonitions, though given with 
tears, will be worse than vain. 

This purity of character is so vital that all 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 29 

Class Leaders should exercise the utmost care 
in regard to it. I do not mean that they should 
be so self-inspective and self-conscious as to 
lose their freedom of feeling and action. They 
should not be afraid to give play to their nat- 
ural aptitudes lest they should seem to trans- 
gress the proprieties of their office. No man 
can be a power for good in any great degree 
unless he be natural, and this he cannot be 
unless he be freely himself. 

A man walking on moral stilts is a ridiculous 
spectacle. The affectation which says, " I am a 
Class Leader, and I cannot walk on the pave- 
ment of every-day life, as ordinary Christians 
do, but must move with my feet above it," can 
only render a man distasteful, if not disgusting, 
to sensible people. Let him walk where others 
walk, a man with men ; his heart in sympathy 
with every interest and pain and joy and grief 
of humanity ; putting on no airs of superior 
sanctity, but maintaining "a conscience void of 
offense toward God, and toward men ;" watch- 
ing against the smallest violation of truth, 
3 



30 The Class Leader. 

honor, justice ; against holding fellowship with 
wrong in any form ; and he will be sure to en- 
joy the confidence of all who know him, and 
the esteem and love of those who fear God. 

III. Good Common Sense. 

The Class Leader must not fail to have good 
sense. 

What merchant would place a man in charge 
of important trusts whose reason and discre- 
tion were at fault ? who lacked a ready percep- 
tion of the fitness of things, and whose judg- 
ment was erratic ? The man who can be de- 
pended upon to do about the right thing in the 
right way, and at the right time, is the one that 
wise employers select to manage and guard 
large interests. 

The weightiest interest that a pastor can 
commit to any of his members is that which 
he places in charge of the person whom he 
appoints Class Leader. The Leader has in his 
hands the guiding and shaping of the eternal 
destinies of immortal beings. It is his office 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 3 1 

to lead his flock into green pastures and be- 
side still waters. He is to admonish them 
when they do wrong, to recover them from their 
wanderings, to animate and cheer them when 
weary and discouraged, to instruct them when 
ignorant, to counsel them in their difficulties, 
and in general to watch over them as one who 
" must give account." 

A work of such delicacy and responsibility 
requires the exercise of such wisdom and skill 
as only sound common sense can supply. Ex- 
traordinary piety and devotion, even, cannot 
compensate for the want of this. A man may 
be truly good, and thoroughly in earnest to do 
good, but if he lack wisdom he cannot be relied 
upon as a safe guide. I do not mean by wis- 
dom, wide knowledge of the world, of books, 
or of men, though this is desirable. Without 
such knowledge a man may be a useful Class 
Leader ; but without the wisdom which is born 
of good sense he cannot be, because he cannot 
wisely counsel, admonish, reprove, encourage, 
and otherwise edify the members of a class. 



32 The Class Leader. 

This quality supplies a Class Leader with 
tact. This thing called tact is what wins on 
most of the battle-fields of life. It is this 
which renders some men so successful in man- 
aging men, and making them subservient to 
their purposes. It is this which enables some 
persons so readily to disentangle themselves 
from unfavorable complications, to repair with 
ease a mistake, or to settle a difficulty. Tact 
gives a man the best use of his resources, and 
leads him to do the best thing in an emergency. 
No man is or can be the possessor of this 
ready skill in action, which we call tact, only in 
proportion as he has common sense. 

How tact comes into use in the conduct of a 
class-meeting is shown in the case of a Leader 
who writes : " I hear and respond to the evi- 
dences offered, unless they have too much same- 
ness and become dull, and if so I suddenly turn 
my experience into a prayer or singing meet- 
ing, get them waked up, and perhaps as sud- 
denly return to experiences.""" 

* Letter of H. H. Webb to the writer. 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 33 

Other men would go on with a somnolent in- 
fluence deepening in the class to the end, and 
have the members leave with the feeling that 
the class-room is a dull place ; but the Leader 
whose sense is clear and alert contrives to ex- 
orcise the demon of dullness, and makes the 
meeting lively and profitable. 

This quality was also illustrated by a Class 
Leader in England whose time was so much 
occupied in business that he could not always 
get the opportunity to call promptly upon his 
members whom he missed from class-meeting, 
but who yet saw that it was necessary to reach 
them somehow. So he hit upon a device in 
the shape of a little card, a specimen of which 
is here given, which he sent in an envelope to 

Mr. FarnelVs hind regards, and loill oe very | 

I happy to see you at Glass on Tuesday next, at \ 

I Eight o'clock in the Evening, in No. 1 Vestry, Bold | 

I Street Chapel* I 

I 1 



* On the reverse side this text is printed: " Come thou with 
us, and we will do thee good." 



34 The Class Leader. 

each absentee, the cause of whose absence he 
did not know,, previous to the next class night, 
by some one who would deliver it ; and he " al- 
most always found it effectual in bringing them 
to the class."* 

Many a Leader has allowed a class intrusted 
to him to dwindle to extinction, because he did 
not possess the tact to place himself in com- 
munication with and bring back to the class- 
room his absenting members. 

I am far from saying that all Leaders who do 
not use the precise methods given above are 
deficient in good sense ; but I do say, that good 
sense leads a man to see and to overcome dif- 
ficulties and hinderances to efficiently leading 
a class, as well as in other spheres of activity 
and success. Other things being equal, the 
Leader, with genuine, ready sense will always 
greatly surpass him who lacks it. 

The exercise of the very best judgment is 
often demanded in replying to the experiences 

* Letter of William Farnell, late of England, now of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., to the writer. 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 35 

related in class-meeting. Sometimes a Leader's 
tact will lead him to use language that to an 
observer would seem unsuitable, but which he 
perceives is needful to divert the thoughts of 
the person addressed from morbid contempla- 
tions, and turn them to more genial themes. 

Captain Bilderback, who was a very success- 
ful Class Leader for many years in Salem, N. J., 
when some one had recited in his class- 
meeting a story of Satanic assault, instead of 
replying by a discourse on the philosophy of 
temptation and giving minute directions for 
overcoming the tempter, in his peculiar manner 
said, " Brother, the next time the devil comes 
to you take a big club to him." 

Such a reply would not soon be forgotten 
by the person addressed, and the novelty and 
homeliness of the simile, and the manner of 
its utterance, probably did more to relieve and 
assure his mind than would the most polished 
sentences. It would not be best for every 
Leader to make that reply in such a case, but 
Captain Bilderback was a Leader who had tact, 



30 The Class Leader. 

and judgment to use that tact ; hence he was 
generally ready to meet an exigence in the 
class-room skillfully and wisely. 

David Taylor, of Jersey City, is one of the 
best Class Leaders I ever knew. One evening 
I was hearing him lead his class when not less 
than fifty persons were present. A member in 
speaking said that never since his conversion 
had he desired to turn back to the world. The 
stereotyped reply to such a hackneyed declara- 
tion would have been somewhat as follows : Of 
course, brother, you do not desire to go back. 
Why should you ? The joys of religion are so 
much superior to the pleasures of the world 
that no one who possesses them would desire 
to make the exchange. Hold on, then, to your 
religion, and never indulge a desire to part 
with it. 

With no such smooth words did Mr. Taylor 
reply. But he almost startled me by saying, in 
tones full of earnest feeling, " I believe that you 
have never had any desire to turn back, but I 
do not think you are making much progress ; " 



Six Tilings a Class Leader Should Have. $J 

and then he exhorted him to advance. This 
was not complimentary, certainly, to that schol- 
ar in the school of Christ, and I feared for the 
result. But I found that no harm was done, 
and just that sort of remark at that juncture 
was what the ready tact of the Leader, who 
knew his man, suggested as the best thing to 
be said to him to quicken his Christian pace. 

A Christian woman was lying on a sick-bed 
in rather a low mood of mind. A friend called 
to see her, and in speaking with her said, 

" You love Jesus ? " 

" So little," she replied, " that I am ashamed 
to say that I do." 

The visitor struck a match and blew out the 
flame, leaving the fire on the end, and, holding 
it before her, said, 

"What is that?" 

"A spark of fire," she said. 

" Never mind about the spark. What is 
that?" 

" It is fire." 

" Yes," answered the visitor, " it is fire ; it is 



38 The Class Leader. 

not a conflagration, but still it is fire. Now do 
you love the Lord Jesus?" 

" So little that I am ashamed to say I do." 

He then reached out to a glass of water and 
dipped his finger in it, and held up the finger, 
on which hung a glistening drop, before the 
woman. 

" What is that on my finger ? " he asked. 

"A drop of water," she replied. 

" Don't say anything about the drop," he 
said, " but tell me what it is that is on my 
finger." 

" It is water," said the woman. 

" Yes," he remarked, " it is water. It is not 
an ocean, but it is as really water as the sea is 
water. It is not the quantity which determines 
what a thing is, but its nature or quality. So 
it is with love to Jesus. It is not the amount 
of your love to him that determines whether 
you are a Christian, but it is the fact that you 
love him at all. A little love to Christ is as 
genuine as though it were a great deal. It is 
not the quantity that you are to concern your- 



Six Things a Class Leader Slwnld Have. 39 

self about now, it is the thing itself. Do you 
love Jesus ? " And the poor, desponding soul 
was obliged to confess, 

" Yes, I love him ! " 

Now who does not see that tact of a very 
high order was displayed in this delicate, yet 
thorough, treatment of the misgivings and de- 
spondency of that sincere but weak believer ? 
And such tact will often be of inestimable 
value to the Class Leader in treating the vari- 
ous phases of experience that he must meet in 
the course of his duties. 

This quality is so important to the Leader 
that I cannot refrain from giving yet another 
illustration or two of it. 

The Rev. Dr. Payson, who was a distin- 
guished and saintly minister of Portland, Maine, 
in the early part of this century, once visited a 
Christian sufferer who was in a very gloomy 
state of mind because she could not keep her 
thoughts concentrated on Christ. He said to 
her, " Suppose you were to see a little sick child 
lying in its mother's lap, with its faculties im- 



40 The Class Leader. 

paired by its sufferings, so that it was gener- 
ally in a troubled sleep ; but now and then it 
just opens its eyes a little, and gets a glimpse 
of its mother's face, so as to be recalled to the 
recollection that it is in its mother's arms ; and 
suppose that always, at such a time, it should 
smile faintly with evident pleasure to find where 
it was, should you doubt whether that child 
loved its mother ? " At once the sick woman 
saw the point, her doubts instantly fled, and 
her soul was comforted. 

On another occasion the same minister was 
in a house of bereavement, and found it his 
duty to minister to the sorrow of a mother who 
had lost a beloved child. And thus he did it. 
" Suppose now, " he said/' some one was making 
a beautiful crown for you to wear, and that you 
knew it was for you, and that you were to re- 
ceive it and wear it as soon as it should be 
done. Now, if the maker of it were to come, 
and, in order to make the crown more beautiful 
and splendid, were to take some oi your jewels 
to put into it, should you be sorrowful and 



Six Tilings a Class Leader Should Have. 41 

unhappy, because they were taken away for a 
little while, when you knew they were gone to 
makeup your crown?" It was a word fitly 
spoken ; and the weeper smiled to think that 
her treasure was only taken for a time, to be 
restored to her again when crowns shall be 
distributed in heaven. 

Now this kind of skill, which, I repeat, is the 
product of good sense, will enable the Leader to 
successfully dispose of the numerous cases of 
doubt, temptation, sorrow, inexperience, folly, 
and backsliding that will every now and then 
call for his treatment. No rules can be laid 
down to meet these ever-varying cases. The 
Leader must rely upon his judgment, aided by 
experience, such knowledge as he may be able 
to acquire, and the wisdom that is from above. 

IV. Intelligence. 

The Class Leader must possess intelligence. 
This is indispensable. It is his duty to give 
advice, to help men out of their spiritual diffi- 
culties, to direct their faith and their walk, and 



42 The Class Leader. 

to promote, by his instructions, their highest 
welfare. How can he do all this unless he be 
instructed? He cannot. 

It is not necessary, however, that he be what 
is called an educated man, except that he be 
able to read. The knowledge which he re- 
quires is that which is necessary to enable him 
to do the work of his office. He cannot ac- 
quire it in the schools of this world : he must 
obtain it in the school of Christ. He must 
know what it is to be a Christian and to live a 
Christian life. He must be familiar with the 
temptations and snares with which a Christian 
is beset : he must know how to resist and foil 
the tempter: he must understand the means 
of Christian growth, and the steps that lead to 
lukewarmness and backsliding. He must know 
how to apply God's word to the needs of his 
members, giving to each their portion in due 
season. 

A sensible and earnest Leader can readily 
acquire this knowledge if he be but poorly fur- 
nished with it when called to enter upon this 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 43 

work. He will continually enlarge his acquisi- 
tions, also, if he faithfully improve his opportu- 
nities, and will become " furnished unto every 
good word and work." 

It is very important that a Class Leader be 
familiar with Bible truth, as this is the food 
which he must dispense to his flock. 

The Rev. Edmond Grindrod, a Wesleyan 
minister of the last generation, addressed to 
Class Leaders the following wise words : 

" I do not mean to say that a critical knowl- 
edge of the holy Bible is necessary. This is a 
rare attainment, and you have in general nei- 
ther leisure nor means for its pursuit. It is, 
however, expedient that you should have at 
least a general acquaintance with the facts, 
doctrines, precepts, and promises of that Divine 
book. From this sacred source you will at all 
times derive the best arguments, admonitions, 
and exhortations to address to your classes. 

" Make yourself very familiar with the devo- 
tional parts of Scripture, particularly with the 
Psalms ; this will supply you with a richness, 



44 The Class Leader. 

variety, appropriateness, and beauty of lan- 
guage in prayer which you cannot acquire by 
any other means. It is said of Martin Luther, 
that when he felt a dullness in the devotions of 
the closet, he used to take the Psalms and con- 
vert them into forms of prayer for himself, and 
was often greatly blessed in this exercise. 
Such an example is worthy of our imitation. 
Treasure in your memories the precepts of Di- 
vine truth. They are scattered up and down 
in the sacred pages, in short and easy sen- 
tences, as if they were designed to be commit- 
ted to memory. These will supply you with 
infallible moral maxims, and rules of conduct 
for yourselves and the members of your classes. 
Have the promises of God at hand, that you 
may, with wisdom, apply them to the consola- 
tion of the sincere in all times of their trouble. 
" In order that you may attain this knowl- 
edge of the Scriptures, read them every day 
by some well-arranged method ; read them 
thoughtfully, with a design and effort to un- 
derstand them ; often pause, and inquire what 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 45 

you have learned by the paragraph, chapter, or 
book which you have just finished ; read them 
with some good commentary upon them, if you 
can procure one. Mr. Benson's is the best 
that I know for your purpose. Read them 
prayerfully ; the devout mind is most likely to 
be taught of God. Make yourselves acquainted 
with other standard works in divinity, particu- 
larly Wesley's and Fletcher's Works, and Wat- 
son's Theological Institutes." * 

Conversation with the members of his class 
outside of the class-room on religious expe- 
rience and life, and with such mature and 
thoughtful Christians as he may know, will 
be found by the Leader a highly useful means 
of increasing his knowledge of the things of 
God, and will furnish him with many sugges- 

* " The Duties, Qualifications, and Encouragements of Class 
Leaders ; being the substance of Five Addresses delivered 
to several persons appointed to that Office in the Wesleyan 
Methodist Society in Hull." By the Rev. Edmond Grindrod. 
Fourth edition. London : 1846. I agree with Mr. .Grindod 
in recommending Benson's Commentaries, and would also 
especially recommend Whedon on the New Testament. 



46 The Class Leader. 

tions, thoughts, and illustrations which he may 
use to advantage in his addresses in the class- 
room. Indeed, he may, in his daily life, and 
amid the cares and engrossments of his secular 
calling, be constantly enlarging his stock of 
knowledge, and rendering himself more and 
more competent as a religious counselor and 
guide. 

V. Sympathy. 

One who does not possess sympathy is in- 
capable of being a genuine Class Leader. It 
is a work which calls for the exercise of the 
purest and tenderest sensibilities. 

A Leader in a large city found in his class 
when it was placed in his charge a genteel-ap- 
pearing, neatly attired, intelligent-looking, eld- 
erly widow lady. There was nothing in her 
appearance or manner that would have sug- 
gested to any one that she was in distressed 
circumstances. But one winter afternoon he 
called upon her, and learned during the inter- 
view that, though her house and person showed 
great neatness, she was so destitute as to be 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 47 

without necessary food. His compassion was 
roused. He went forth from her humble abode 
and procured a basket filled with provisions, so 
heavy that it tired him to carry it, and bore it 
through the street, in the darkness which had 
now fallen, on his own arm to her door. He 
also saw that she was supplied with coal 
throughout the winter, and that she was cared 
for generally so long as she remained in his 
class. 

That was a case in which a Leader's sympa- 
thy was manifested. What if, like the priest 
and Levite, he had coolly left her to suffer ? 
Perhaps she might not have complained or re- 
proached him, but the spirit which would 
have made him capable of such heartlessness 
would have made him incapable of being a 
good Class Leader. That he acted as he did 
showed him to possess the heart of a good 
Samaritan, and to be capable of feeling for his 
flock in their sorrows and misfortunes. 

Now a Leader must feel for the members 
placed in his care. He must sympathize with 



48 The Class Leader. 

them in their temptations, struggles, losses, 
crosses, sicknesses, poverty, weaknesses, be- 
reavements, and toils. He must be able to 
u rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep 
with them that weep." He must bear their 
burdens, and, in a sense, " carry their sorrows." 
He who would exercise this office in a mere 
professional and perfunctory way, can never 
exercise it with pleasure to himself or with 
profit to his class. 

One who has been a Leader nearly a half 
century says very justly, " A Leader is not fit 
to be called a Leader who is not ready to shake 
hands with all his class at all times, and will 
not bear with and sympathize with all in their 
trials and weaknesses."* 

Another, who has been evidently a true 
Leader, writes that a Leader, in connection with 
other traits, should be " fervent, affectionate.'' 
A man of cold spirit, and lacking in affection- 
ateness, cannot minister to tried and weary and 

* William Kennedy, Huntingdon, Pa., in a letter to the 
author. 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 49 

burdened hearts in a way to encourage, lighten, 
and cheer them. 

While a student of medicine I was very 
pleasantly impressed by the exhibition of this 
trait by the late Dr. Valentine Mott, who was 
one of the most distinguished surgeons in this 
country. At his public clinic in the college 
one day a poor woman presented herself to 
receive gratuitous medical aid. The students 
and professors were very apt to treat such 
persons as though they did not possess ordi- 
nary human sensibilities. Dr. Mott showed 
the poor child of adversity gentle attention, 
and then remarked to the class that it was 
his habit to treat such as she with delicate 
consideration, because such treatment was due 
them. 

A sympathizing manner, joined with kind 
words, are often like a balm of healing to the 
troubled, the poor, and the desponding ones 
that we so frequently meet in life ; and if a 
man so celebrated and refined as was Dr. 
Mott could thus feel for a poor stranger, how 



jO The Class Leader. 

ready ought a Leader to be to sympathize with 
the meanest and least lovable of his flock ? 

VI. Enthusiasm. 

No one, as a rule, succeeds in an undertak- 
ing without enthusiasm. Whether the work 
be secular or religious, the enthusiastic worker 
unless he be otherwise incompetent to do what 
he undertakes, almost always wins success ; 
while, generally, those whose capabilities are 
adequate but who lack enthusiasm succeed but 
poorly, or fail altogether. 

A Class Leader can never attain large suc- 
cess in his work unless he prosecute it enthusi- 
astically. Very many unsuccessful Leaders are 
so simply because they have no enthusiasm. 
Their ardor does not kindle as they approach 
their duties. Their spirit does not bound to 
their work. They consequently go through 
the routine of the class-room in a dull and 
monotonous way, kindling no warmth in their 
members, dispensing stale advice in phrases 
hackneyed and threadbare, neither enjoying the 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 5 1 

service themselves nor making it enjoyable to 
the class. It is not strange that such Leaders 
complain that their members do not attend 
class-meeting regularly, and talk so much about 
resigning their office. 

One such Leader has written to me some 
passages of his experience which are instruct- 
ive. He has sixty-six members in his class, 
and an average attendance of eight. Some- 
times sixteen are present and sometimes none. 

" Then, I say," he writes, " I am not fit to be 
a Leader. I will give up my class and ask the 
preacher to appoint some one else in my place. 
I have determined several times to do this. 
Before giving up my book I will just call once 
more on all my members, and write up my 
book, so that my successor shall find all my 
sixty-six members at the correct residences 
as marked in the book. 

" I leave my store at three o'clock some after- 
noon and take a route of visitation. 

" I find a lady who is infirm and has been 
deprived of the means of grace. She says 



$2 The Class Leader. 

many flattering things about my faithfulness, 
and the many good words I have spoken in 
class. At another place I find the members 
have moved away from the city without their 
letters. And so I find work to do which I did 
not think of. The next Friday evening I go to 
class hoping nobody will be there, so that I can 
give it up. To my surprise I find several per- 
sons, and others come in until the room is well 
filled. The singing goes well. I read a passage 
of Scripture, and I try to speak on it. It seems 
so full of Gospel that I drink it in as I speak, 
and I find myself filled with the glorious prom- 
ises which I am trying to explain to others. 
Then the members speak so well. We are like 
the disciples at the mount of transfiguration. 
We say it is good to be here. Then I say, I 
am in the Lord's hands. If he wants me to 
lead class I will do it, even if there be no glory 
in it." * 

Now this Leader obviously lacked enthusiasm 
until his class got so low that he resolved to 

* Lettei to the writer from a Brooklyn Class Leader. 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 53 

lead it no longer. Then he awoke and deter- 
mined to give his members a visit before sever- 
ing his relation with them — to close up with a 
little enthusiasm. In doing so he awakened 
their interest in himself and in the class-meet- 
ing, and the next class night his room is well 
filled, he becomes more enthusiastic, the mem- 
bers catch his spirit ; all feel a blissful uplift- 
ing, and go away rejoicing ; while that one 
blaze of enthusiasm has consumed the desire 
of the Leader to surrender his class book, and 
inspired him with a purpose to continue his 
work for the Master. Were he to maintain 
that spirit steadily and increasingly, as he ought, 
that Leader would no more talk about giving 
up his class, but would make his work both a 
pleasure and a success. 

I know of no better illustration of enthusiasm 
in this service than the case of a sailor who 
was a Class Leader, and had seven or eight 
members who belonged to the crew of an En- 
glish naval packet ship. While at sea they 
suffered persecution from their officers and 



54 The Class Leader. 

shipmates, but they regularly held their class- 
meeting. They made the time of the meeting 
suit their duties. Their class-room was the 
forepart of the ship, where they had to lie 
down, side by side, or else partly on one an- 
other upon the cables : the arrangement of their 
position allowing them to pass whispers among 
themselves so that their voices would not at- 
tract the attention of their opposers. They 
were always glad of a gale of wind, so that the 
noise would prevent their voices being heard 
by others, and afford them opportunity of easily 
hearing one another. In this manner they 
went through the exercises of the class-meet- 
ing, and found it to be a means of fortifying 
themselves' against the influences of their evil 
surroundings.* A Leader who will keep up 
his class under such difficulties is an enthusiast 
in his work, and is not likely to have drowsy 
and unprofitable meetings. 

* This fact is given by Rev. S. W. Christopher, ot En- 
gland, in his work on Class-Meetings. He personally knew 
the sailor Leader. 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 55 

A lawyer in the North of England, of ability 
and reputation, and successful in his profession, 
was accustomed to break away from his office, 
no matter how engrossing his labors might be, 
and hasten to meet the class of which he was 
the Leader. He once said, " I owe more than 
I can tell to the weekly enjoyment of my class. 
I entered on public life with a prayerful deter- 
mination not to be deprived, if I could help it, 
of that weekly refreshment for my soul ; and, 
with very few exceptions, my way has been 
made plain. I have often had to run directly 
from the office after a whole day's occupation 
in court ; if, however, I could but secure five 
minutes before the time to kneel, or sit and 
select a suitable hymn, I have never found my- 
self unready for the duty of giving, or the 
privilege of receiving, spiritual blessing. .How 
sweet I have found it to get away for an hour 
in the course of a week's exposure to worldly 
influences, and from dealing with selfish prin- 
ciples and doubtful customs, to enjoy a little 
holy talk with my fellow-pilgrims in the Mas- 



56 The Class Leader. 

ter's company ! I am sure that without it I 
should not have stood my ground." 

Theodore Runyon, of Newark, the Chancellor 
of New Jersey, though occupying the first judi- 
cial position in the State, is an enthusiastic 
Class Leader. He has been known to rush 
from the capitol, where he was sitting in 
chancery, that he might get to his class room, 
nearly fifty miles away, in season to lead his 
class. 

Cornelius Walsh, a large manufacturer ot 
Newark, and a late candidate for Governor of 
New Jersey, was many years a Leader in the 
same Church where Chancellor Runyon be- 
longs. If he was away from the city on busi- 
ness or for recreation, he would make it a point 
to try to return so that he could meet his class 
at the regular time ; and if he proposed leaving 
town, he would endeavor to so plan his depart- 
ure as not to leave at a time that would cause 
him to be absent from his class-meeting. 

These Leaders had enthusiasm in their work, 
and no wonder the class-room was found, under 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 57 

their lead, to be a place of refreshing and a 
Bethel of praise. 

At the close of a revival in which a good 
many converts were received into the Church, 
I appointed a man, who had never had any 
experience as Leader, to take charge of a class 
of probationers. He was disposed to resist the 
appointment, but I insisted, and he served. I 
believed he would illustrate in the office all the 
elements which I have here inculcated as nec- 
essary to every Class Leader. He became at 
once enthusiastic, and, of course, successful in 
a high degree. After more than a year had 
elapsed since his appointment, he wrote me, 
"You will excuse me if I say I have been, by 
God's blessing, so far successful in my work, 
and but very few of the lambs committed to my 
care have gone back to the world. I believe 
my class, without exception, love me, and I 
trust my influence with them will do them no 
harm. One thing I do know, it has been a 
great blessing to me to work in the capacity 
of Leader ; and, though fully conscious of my 



$8 The Class Leader. 

inability in almost all respects, I feel encour* 
aged to work on." 

These words reveal the presence of the 
spirit of enthusiasm which every successful 
Leader possesses, and give the secret of his 
success in saving " the lambs." Neither knowl- 
edge, wit, blamelessness, regularity, or any 
thing else, will make a truly live Leader if he 
have no enthusiasm. This quality, even if some 
of the others are but poorly developed, will 
almost always insure success in this work. 

I do not wish to have any Leader who may 
read this book feel that he is not fit for his 
office, unless he have, in a large degree, all these 
qualities which I have tried to illustrate, I 
merely insist that he must have them ; but do 
not say that he must possess them to the ex- 
tent that another person does. He may have 
them imperfectly, and yet he may be very use- 
ful, and, indeed, necessary to the Church as a 
Leader. We must not despise the day of small 
things ; and all these qualities are susceptible of 
culture and increase. A man who has but a fair 



Six Things a Class Leader Should Have. 59 

stock of good sense, intelligence, and grace, but 
who devotes himself with enthusiasm to the 
work of the leadership, with a steady effort to 
improve his qualifications, will grow in his 
work, and, with scarcely an exception, will make 
it a blessing and a success. 



6o The Class Leader. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE LEADER AND THE CHURCH. 

O one, except the pastor, sustains a more 



interesting and important relation to the 
Church than the Class Leader. If he 
be worthy of his office, his influence in the 
Church is powerful. He stands forth before 
the membership and the outside world among 
the Church's best and most useful representa- 
tives. Men confide in him as an exponent of 
that which is most vital in Christianity, and as 
an example and guide in faith and morals. 
They trust to his counsels, and lean upon him 
for support in their weakness. . They wish him 
to comfort them when they are in trouble and 
sickness, and to whisper to them words of hope 
and promise when they are dying. 

None are more valued and loved by the 
Church than are its faithful and devoted Class 
Leaders. They are frequently objects of ven- 



The Leader and the Church. • 6 1 

eration to those whom they have helped in the 
way to heaven. Deference is given to their 
opinions, and their words are potential. They 
often are pillars in the Lord's temple, and 
prophets who receive honor in their own coun- 
try and from their own people. 

It is a most happy thing for a Church to 
have Leaders worthy to be thus trusted and 
cherished. The pure, perennial influence of a 
good man and beneficent worker in a Christian 
congregation is like a health-giving fountain in 
a sickly land. 

The affairs of the world generally are carried 
on by means of leadership. In politics, finance, 
art, medicine, commerce, government, there are 
leaders who direct the opinions and work of 
their followers, and shape the measures that 
control the thinking and conduct of the multi- 
tude. A true leader, who can guide a country 
safely through its perils, or who can lead the 
mind of a generation to the recognition of no- 
bler ideals and to the perception and acceptance 
of loftier truths, is a benefactor whose value to 



62 The Class Leader. 

the world no figures of arithmetic can represent. 
Such men, after they are dead, are often mightier 
than kings through the ideas they uttered and 
the influence they created. 

Luther, who led the Reformation, conferred 
a boon upon the world which no mind can 
measure. John Wesley, the architect of the 
vast fabric of Methodism, was the leader of the 
faith of millions now in the skies ; and to-day 
he is a living force throughout Christendom, and 
by his spirit and genius is inspiring and guid- 
ing the conquering hosts of the Church mili- 
tant as they are marching on over the falling 
idolatries of the earth to its conquest for Jesus 
Christ. And I have known a poor and illit- 
erate mechanic, who held no official position, to 
shed the influence of his sanctity over a whole 
city congregation where he worshiped while liv- 
ing, and in which when he was dead his influ- 
ence remained like a sweet odor. 

Every enterprise has its guiding minds, every 
organization its leading spirits — and the Church 
must have them. 



The Leader and the Church. 63 

I know that sometimes the men who stand 
foremost in the Church as the managers of its 
affairs and the captains of its host are looked 
upon with critical and jealous eyes by those 
who perhaps covet their honor, but who have 
neither the heart nor the ability to perform 
their service. All who understand human 
nature and the needs of the Church, and who 
pray for its prosperity, rejoice that God gives it 
such servants, and "esteem them very highly 
in love for their work's sake." Every Church 
has what are called "the leading men;" and 
they are a necessity, and, as a rule, a great 
blessing. 

Among such the Class Leaders are conspic- 
uous. Their office clothes them with a certain 
influence. That the pastor has selected them 
from the rest of the men of the Church to fill 
this position attests his high estimate of their 
character and gifts. It stamps them, so far as 
his judgment an v i authority can, as superior 
men. 

By means of the influence of their office, and 



64 The Class Leader 

the publicity which it gives them in the con- 
gregation, they are rendered equal in weight 
and force to the chiefest in the Church, unless 
they have serious personal deficiencies. As- 
suming that they answer in a good degree to 
the ideal presented in the last chapter, the 
Class Leaders of a given Church may safely be 
regarded- as its first men in moral force and 
religious usefulness. In a good degree they 
hold in their trust its honor and power, and 
bear the responsibility of its success or failure. 
They- have in their care the piety of the 
Church. The class-meeting is a school -for 
the training of Christians. According as the 
members of the Church are there trained will 
be the tone of their spirituality and the con- 
sistency of their lives. The Leader is a per- 
sonal teacher of the religion of the heart 
It is his office to hear from week to week a 
statement of the spiritual condition of each 
member of his class from their own lips, 
and to caution, advise, admonish, encourage, 
instruct, and stimulate, according to the indica- 



The Leader and the Church. 65 

tions they give. His chief duty is to so teach, 
influence, and aid them, as that Irom week to 
week they shall " grow in grace, and in the 
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ." 

The entire membership of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, comprising a million and a 
half of souls, is, or should be, under the spirit- 
ual care of our Class Leaders, and all those souls 
are made, in a good degree, what they become 
through the help and guidance they get in the 
class-meeting. There all the grades of our 
people are brought together to tell of the 
Divine dealings, and to receive such inspiration 
and assistance as they may in the Christian 
life. 

How vital, then, to the Church is the Lead- 
er's work. Whether its members shall be liv- 
ing branches of the True Vine, bringing forth 
much fruit, or whether they shall answer to the 
description of the Laodicean Church — neither 
cold nor hot — depends largely upon the Class 
Leaders. Let the Leader endeavor to make 



66 The Class Leader. 

his class-room attractive by having it filled with 
the spirit of love, faith, and joy ; let him strive 
tc make it a place where weary hearts shall find 
rest ; the troubled, comfort ; the desponding, 
hope ; a Pisgah whence longing eyes shall see 
the promised land, and hearts enraptured by 
the sense of a nearing heaven shall carol forth 
their triumph. 

Such a class-room cannot fail to be a place 
of delightful resort to those who are seeking a 
better country, and must prove a quickener of 
piety. Such class-meetings cannot but assist 
the faith and nourish the graces of Christians, 
and send them forth week by week to "adorn 
the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." 
But a class-meeting that is rendered irksome 
by cold formalities rather than alluring by 
the beauty of holiness, will be likely to retard 
the spiritual improvement of its members, and 
so tend to depress instead of elevate the piety 
of the Church. 



A joyous Religion. 07 



CHAPTER IV. 

A JOYOUS RELIGION. 

tHE Leader has much influence in deter- 
mining the character of the Church's 
piety. Many pious people have misrepresented 
religion, caricatured it even by their morose- 
ness. They have illustrated the notion so 
false and pernicious, that religion is a gloomy 
thing, and that it begets a solemnity both of 
spirit and demeanor which destroys much of the 
gladness of life. On this principle the Quakers 
proscribe music, not only in their meeting- 
houses, but also in their homes. On the same 
principle many ministers dress in a manner 
which is calculated to mark them in the eyes 
of the people as ascetics — men who may not 
feel the buoyant freedom of a normal human 
life — and to make the public think that the 
faith which they profess and teach tends to 
asceticism. 



68 The Ct ass I/fadkr. 

Now Christianity is not ascetic. It is the 
brightest and most gladsome thing in the world. 
It is a rainbow, that spans the cloud-mantled 
sky of our life ; a harp, that fills the temple 
of the soul with melody; a day star, that ever 
shineth on the path of the pilgrim. Austerity 
belongs not to it, but gentleness and peace. 
Kindliness and joy are its earliest and abid- 
ing fruits. It knows no dry, sterile, repul- 
sive moods ; but its boundless and peren- 
nial blissfulness is imaged by the Saviour as 
" a well of water springing up into everlasting 
life." 

Methodism has always held forth to the 
world an attractive and joyous religion. From 
the day that its founder escaped from the 
gloom of asceticism, in which ne had been so 
long held, and felt his " heart strangely warmed," 
it has discarded that dismal experience which 
does not get beyond " O wretched man that I 
am ! " and has testified to a " joy unspeakable 
and full of glory." Its exultant songs and hal- 
lelnias have reverberated over the world, and 



A Joyous Religion. 69 

Its people have passed through life and through 
death with shoutings. 

The vast success of Methodism as an evan- 
gelizing power has, doubtless, been largely 
owing to the joyous character of its piety. Its 
radiancy of hope, its rapture of love, its triumph 
of faith, have won upon the hearts of men ; 
and, drawn by the power of a celestial attrac- 
tion, uncounted multitudes have abandoned 
the sinful pleasures of the world for its blissful 
fellowship. 

And this is the power of our Church to-day. 
The secret by which it is to continue its glori- 
ous conquests does not consist in its institu- 
tions of learning, or its costly and splendid 
temples, or refined modes of worship, or aes- 
thetic and scholarly preaching, but does consist 
in its experimental religion. "The joy of the 
Lord is " its " strength." 

Its members must continue to be able to 
sing the songs that resounded from the lips of 
the fathers and mothers who have gone up to 
their coronation, and by which they thrilled 



70 The Class Leader. 

and moved the people in their revivals ; at camp- 
meetings and elsewhere, such as : — __ 

" Jesus, my all in all thou art } 
My rest in toil^ my ease in pain ; 

The med'cine of my broken heart ; 
In war, my peace ; in loss, my gain ; 

My smile beneath the tyrant's frown ; 

In shame, my glory and my crown. 

" In want, my plentiful supply ; 

In weakness, my almighty power ; 
In bonds, my perfect liberty ; 

My light, in Satan's darkest hour ; 
In grief, my joy unspeakable ; 
My life in death, my all in all." 



And— 



And— 



" O what a blessed hope is ours ! 

While here on earth we stay, 
We more than taste the heavenly powers, 

And antedate that day : 
We feel the resurrection near, — 

Our life in Christ conceal'd, — 
And with his glorious presence here 

Our earthen vessels fill'd." 

" The promised land, from Pisgah's top 

I now exult to see : 
My hope is full (O glorious hope !) 

Of immortality." 



A yoyous Religion. 71 



And this : — 



" With ease our souls through death shall glide 

Into their paradise ; 
And thence on wings of angels ride 

Triumphant through the skies." 

Very early in the history of Methodism in 
this country a young man was one day in a 
grove, near the roadside, concealed by a thick- 
et, musing upon an intended adventure at sea, 
when a stranger on horseback passed by, and 
began singing melodiously these lines : — 

" Still out of the deepest abyss 

Of trouble, I mournfully cry ; 
And pine to recover my peace, 

And see my Redeemer, and die. 
I cannot, I cannot forbear 

These passionate longings for home ! 
O ! when shall my spirit be there ; 

O ! when will the messenger come." 

As the horse walked slowly the young man 
heard distinctly every word, and was much 
affected, not only with the music of the voice, 
which was extraordinary, but with the words, 
and especially with the couplet, 



f2 The Class Leader. 

1 1 cannot, I cannot forbear 
These passionate longings for home." 

He followed the stranger (who was Caleb B. 
Pedicord, one of the earliest and best of Amer- 
ican Methodist preachers) a long distance, hop- 
ing he would sing again. At length he saw 
him dismount at the house of a Methodist, 
which led him to conclude that he was a trav- 
eling preacher. 

A Methodist of the town invited the young 
man to hear Mr. Pedicord, who, he said, would 
preach that night and was an excellent preach- 
er. He replied that he presumed he had 
seen him, and mentioned the lines he had 
, heard him sing, and asked the man if he knew 
the hymn. He said he knew it, and immedi- 
ately commenced singing it in a musical voice 
to the same tune. The young man was moved 
to tears. That night he heard the preacher, 
and the result was that for nearly threescore 
years subsequently he was known as the Rev. 
Thomas Ware, one of the foremost men in 
American Methodism. 



A Joyous Religion. 73 

This fact shows with what power the tri- 
umphant faith of our fathers invested them, and 
how their religion of joy, as it burst out in 
song and in speech, subdued and won the 
hearts of men. An experience which was told 
in such words as 

" Exults our rising soul, 

Disburden'd of her load, 
And swells, unutterably full 

Of glory and of God — " 

was the charm of early Methodism, and it is 
the weapon by which our Church is still to 
conquer. Hush the ecstatic song, arrest the 
victor shout, quench the radiance of the faith- 
illumined eye, pull down the divinely emanci- 
pated spirit from its free soarings and fasten it 
in the letters of formalism, expel the heavenly 
antepast from the thrilled breast, and but little 
will remain in Methodism worth preserving. 

In maintaining and promoting this type of 
piety the agency of Class Leaders is moment- 
ous. If they be indifferent to that which is 
bright, inspiring, and blissful in Christian ex- 



74 The Class Leader. 

perience, that indifference will, assuredly, tend 
to lower the spiritual temperature of our class- 
rooms, and to diminish the fervor of our people. 
Should they cease to relish and to teach a re- 
ligion which consists not in "meat and drink," 
but in "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the 
Holy Ghost," and attempt to substitute for it 
an aesthetic formalism, or a religion merely of 
principle, so called, much that is most beautiful 
and attractive in our Church will vanish. Our 
class-rooms will, in a great degree, cease to be 
vocal with inspired and inspiring songs and testi- 
monies, and our altars will no longer be crowded 
with multitudes seeking this precious faith. 

The Rev. Alfred Brunson, D.D., in a letter 
to the author, says : "The idea of excluding all 
feeling from religion, and serving God only from 
principle, is a device of Satan, and when he gets 
good feeling out of the case, what is called prin- 
ciple has but little power." 

As the warmth of spring causes the verdure 
to spontaneously cover the fields, and the trees 
to put forth their leaves, so does a joyous re- 



A Joyous Religwn. 75 

ligion spring forth and flourish in the atmos- 
phere of a class-meeting in which experimental 
testimonies are weekly given, and an experi- 
mental and happy knowledge of Jesus and his 
salvation is insisted upon by a Leader who 
himself abides " under the shadow of the Al- 
mighty." And as the frosty chill of the autumn 
winds withers the verdant beauty of nature, so 
will the atmosphere of a class-meeting in which 
the ecstasies of an experimental salvation are 
repressed and stifled sear the loveliest flowers 
of grace. 

There is no doubt but that individuals may 
live joyous Christian lives without the class- 
meeting, but that that general and pervasive 
religious joyousness which has characterized 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than 
a century, and which is still its strength, can 
be maintained without spiritual Class Leaders 
and class-meetings, I think is very doubtful. 
And as the Leaders chiefly give tone to the 
class-meetings, so must they thereby largely 
shape the devotional spirit of the Church, and 



J6 The Class Leader. 

determine, in a great degree, its attractiveness 
to those who are without. 

A lady who became interested in Meth- 
odism through a friend determined to know 
more of the Church to which her friend be- 
longed, and so " she went to a class-meeting, 
which she had dreaded as a sort of confes- 
sional." She thus describes its joyful charac- 
ter and its influence upon her : — 

" It was a small class of some seven or eight 
ladies, with the pastor in charge for a Leader. 
After solemn and impressive prayer he rose 
and spoke to the purport that the Lord still 
was with him, and he felt his presence a bless- 
ing and an honor ; and he hoped they would 
all aid him in his prayers to make his heart 
a fit temple for the indwelling of the Holy 
Spirit. 

" The next that rose was a lady in the prime 
of life, but the cheek was furrowed, and the 
once jetty tresses were gleaming with the silver 
threads of premature age. Sorrow had left its 
impress, friend after friend had passed away, 



A yoyous Religion. J'J 

and others had lingered by her side only to 
wound where they should have soothed ; been 
a curse where they should have been a bless- 
ing. And there she stood, calmly telling us it 
was for a wise purpose if human ends were 
defeated and human hopes blighted, and, warm- 
ing with the subject, her face shone with the 
peace that passeth understanding, and I felt it 
was good to be there. 

"Another spoke of the doubts and fears be- 
setting her pathway, and of the prayers and 
strength required to overcome them. 

"Another one, burdened with the weight of 
years, whose footsteps were fast tending to the 
dark valley, spoke of her willingness to go when 
called ; she was calmly waiting the summons ; 
but if it was the will of her Master that she 
should still linger on this side of eternity, and 
even be deprived of friends or home, of every 
thing but her prospect of heaven, she would 
still be content. 

" Another pictured the glories of the heaven 
she was striving for, and she, too, was willing to 



78 The Class Leader. 

take up the cross for this life-time, that she 
might wear the crown of the redeemed. 

" The beloved pastor asked me in an earnest, 
tender voice if I were striving for the joys of 
that better land. I was, but O how utterly in- 
significant were all the promises, the prayers, 
the strivings I had ever been engaged in ! how 
unworthy had I been of all that I had ever re- 
ceived ! But never was God so manifest to my 
soul as in this my first class-meeting. So 
much love and reverence for the great Giver ; 
so much sympathy for each other ; hearts were 
softened and tears of penitence flowed freely. 

"I had bowed my head in many a sanctu- 
ary where the lofty spire pointed heavenward, 
where the light streamed in through stained- 
glass windows, and where the deep-toned or- 
gan's notes fell in prolonged vibrations on my 
ear ; but never did I so feel God's presence 
shining in our midst. If we could so feel it 
here how must it be in heaven. I did not won- 
der how they who thus meet once in each week 
could so well understand Divine teachings. It 



A Joyous Religion. 79 

is almost needless to say, my aversion to class- 
meetings was overcome, and now, as I look 
back through the dim vista of years, I feel its 
influence still, and have never regretted the 
hour it led me to add my name to its list." * 

How may the Leader make his class-room 
exercises best promotive of a rich and happy 
Christian experience ? is an interesting and 
weighty question. I think I cannot better an- 
swer it than by giving the pleasant words of a 
Class Leader in St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal 
Church in Cincinnati, whose experience in this 
office extends over more than a quarter of a 
century ; together with the views of a veteran 
preacher who has given nearly threescore years 
to ministerial service. The Leader writes : — 

"We love each other as classmates. When 
we meet on the street we have a kind word for 
each other. We take an interest in all, rich or 
poor, old or young. We never discriminate 

* Mrs. Bettie C. Locke's article on " My First Class- 
meeting ; or, How I Came to be a Methodist," in " Central 
Christian Advocate " many years ago. 



80 The Class Leader. 

between any, but in the class-room we meet as 
a family — as one band of brothers and sisters 
in Christ the Lord. And we never have dry 
class-meetings, but we have pleasant, profitable, 
spiritual, heavenly waitings before the Lord. . . . 
In presenting to the weaker or younger mem- 
bers the higher Christian life, I always do it in 
the most winning way ; kindly, gently leading ; 
helping, not driving, nor belittling the most or- 
dinary attainments. I have the assurance that 
my class love me, and they know that I love 
them ; and so we are going on, by the grace 
of God, (the Holy Spirit helping our imperfec- 
tions,) from grace to grace, and from glory to 
glory." * 

In such a class-room as that here described 
piety must thrive, and the most beautiful and 
joyous features of the Christian life find de- 
velopment. It is not surprising that there is 
a large average attendance of the' members of 
that class throughout the year, for such inspir- 
ing and helpful class-meetings must always be 

* William F. Wolff, Cincinnati. Letter to the author. 



A Joyous Religion. 8 1 

attractive. It is not singular, either, that this 
Leader has a high appreciation of the impor- 
tance of the class-meeting to the Church, and 
that he should write, as he does, " I Jove class- 
meetings. I believe they are the backbone of 
our beloved Methodism." 

The venerable Dr. Brunson, who during a 
ministry of fifty-nine years has made, as he 
says, class-meetings " a specialty, and almost a 
sine qua non" writes : — 

" Without class-meetings it is next to impos- 
sible to keep young converts alive in religion, 
or for older professors to grow in grace and in 
the knowledge of the truth. But to render 
them useful, spiritual, and lively, the Leader 
must be in the spirit. The leader of an army, 
to be successful, must infuse his own spirit into 
his soldiers. The preacher or leader who would 
save others must himself be saved. A lifeless 
head can never have a lively body." 

In regard to the method of best promoting a 
Joyous religious life in the class-room Dr. Brun- 
son's words are pertinent and weighty. He 



82 The Class Leader. 

says : " After two or three have spoken sing a 
single appropriate verse, and sing, not with 
artistic skill, but with spirit, life, and power. I 
never liked long talks in a Leader, unless they 
were specially spiritual and powerful. I never 
liked loud, boisterous harangues, nor cold and 
formal set words uttered in a whisper. The 
conversational style, unless of a very earnest 
character, is not so apt to be spiritual as the 
declamatory. I like to see earnestness, tears, 
and some agitation of the frame, as if the soul 
within was moving, and to hear a good hearty 
amen or glory. But, unless in very extraordi- 
nary cases or blessings, I prefer not loud shout- 
ings. Never drag these meetings to heaviness, 
dullness, or deadness ; let them end with ani- 
mation — with a rising feeling ; each apparently 
hungering and thirsting for more. In such 
case all will feel anxious to return to obtain 
more of hke precious food." 



Mutual Edification, 83 



CHAPTER Y. 

MUTUAL EDIFICATION. 

NE of the purposes for which the Church 
exists is, that its members may give and 
eceive help in their Christian life and warfare. 
They stand side by side, mutually encouraging 
md supporting each other. This is not only 
heir privilege, but their imperative duty. They 
tre Divinely enjoined to help one another. 
'Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and 
;dify one another, even as also ye do." 

This language of St. Paul is good author- 
,ty for the class-meeting : for that is simply a 
means by which the end which he proposes 
is secured. It is a regular and very avail- 
able method for mutual comforting and edify- 
ing. It makes this the specific work once 
at least, each week, of the members of the 
Church. 

This end may be reached in private gather- 



84 The Class Leader 

ings of Christians, and by the social intercom se 
which they will maintain incidentally ; but such 
methods do not fall directly under the care o* 
the Church, and are intermittent and desultory. 
Our Church has provided in the class-meeting 
a systematic and formal mode of fulfilling the 
law of edification. 

" Christian fellowship cannot be carried on 
to any considerable advantage without stated 
times of assembling. The meetings held for 
this purpose must have a name to distinguish 
them. We call ours class-meetings. Here we 
must notice that it is the thing itself, Christian 
fellowship, and not the name, which we con- 
tend for."* 

Men are greatly affected by the influences 
which act upon them. " Evil communica- 
tions," says the apostle, "corrupt good man- 
ners ; " and Solomon says, " He that walketh 
with wise men shall be wise." Companionship 
— mind acting on mind and soul communing 
with soul — has in all ages been recognized as 

* Coke and Asbury. Notes on Discipline. 



Mutual Edification, 85 

one of the most effective means of forming 
character, whether good or bad. 

The effect of one mind upon another is often 
seen in assemblies where, by the power of the 
speaker, hundreds are at once moved involun- 
tarily to smile or to weep. The same thing is 
very frequently witnessed in social circles, where 
peals of laughter ring responsively to the face- 
tious remark or jest, and sadness and tears 
show the effect of painful allusions or the recital 
of touching narratives. 

Christianity recognizes this social power and 
provides for its exercise. - It calls upon its disci- 
ples to minister to each other by admonition, by 
comforting, by building up, by restoring when 
any have fallen, and by inspiring one another 
by the singing of " psalms and hymns and 
spiritual songs." It requires the maintenance 
of godly companionship by believers " forsaking 
not the assembling of" themselves " together." 

In this the great power and usefulness of 
the class-meeting largely consist. The institu- 
tion means Christian companionship, fellowship, 



86 The Class Leaded. 

sympathy, and brotherly helpfulness. It means 
that believers shall "comfort and edify one 
another." 

To edify means, literally, to build up. Charles 
Wesley expresses it in the lines, 

" Help us to build each other up, 
Our little stock improve ; " 

and it should be the care of the Leader to 
make the class-meeting as efficient as possible 
in doing this work. 

He should remember that it is not his office 
to edify the persons composing the Yieeting 
by his own exercises only, but also to draw out 
the thoughts and feelings of all in such a man- 
ner as that each shall contribute something to 
the edification of the rest. How this may be 
done is shown by the method employed by Mr. 
Wolff, of Cincinnati, in conducting his class- 
meeting. He says : — 

"We open with singing and prayer, then 
read a portion of Scripture suited to the general 
state of the class, and sometimes make a few 
remarks ; sometimes not. A verse is sung, and 



Mutual Edification. Sy 

one of the older ones is then asked to speak 
After this the speaking is from old or young, as 
the case may suit. I have one experience meet 
another ; one class of thought offset another, 
and in this way the members instruct, edify, 
and electrify each other. A verse is now and 
then sung applicable to the last experience, the 
Leader encouraging or helping with a verse 
read or quoted from memory. Sometimes in 
the middle of the exercises we have a short, 
fervent prayer. The object aimed at, and gen- 
erally accomplished, is to let an old member's 
experience balance a young member's ; a some- 
what methodic style is met by a fervent one ; 
and an experience of a person very much cast 
down or depressed is met by a happy, triumph- 
ant one. Of course all this implies a very 
complete knowledge by the Leader of the pe- 
culiar temperament of each member of his 
class." 

It is necessary, also, that the Leader have 
special regard to the spirit of the meeting. If 
it be too formal, and the members suffer a feel- 



88 The Class Leader. 

ing of restraint, there will be little edifying. 
There must be freedom, a genial warmth, a 
sweet blending of spirit, a rising and flow of 
sympathetic feeling, or the full measure of good 
will not be secured. 

It is of great importance, therefore, that the 
Leader himself enter the class-room in a suit- 
able frame of mind. His spirit should be at- 
tuned to the occasion. He should be absorbed 
in the thoughts and feelings that befit the hour. 
Thus he will give tone to the meeting, and his 
influence will be electric, dissipating the indif- 
ference and dullness of other minds, and im- 
parting animation and freedom to the whole 
service. 

On this important point a Leader of long 
experience says : " I have always found that to 
profit a class, and to keep a class alive in at- 
tendance and spirituality, it was necessary my- 
self to go to the class-room from the closet, full 
of faith and love ; to carry the holy unction 
into the class-room ; to commence at the time ; 
to read a few verses of selected Scripture ; to 



Mutual Edification. 89 

select a hymn of spirit and life ; to read two 
or three verses at most and sing ; then to pray, 
or call on some brother to lead in prayer, short, 
direct, and pointed. Then, after singing, rise, 
and in as few words as possible enter into the 
spirit of the meeting, avoiding a lengthy ex- 
perience of my own — to say as little as possi- 
ble about self — and insist that every member 
enter into the work of faith and of devotional 
exercise ; never say many words in reply to any 
experience ; if the class is large say nothing 
to most of the members, especially to such as 
are old and experienced." * 

Another, who was a Leader many years, 
writes : " If the Leader is not awake the mem- 
bers are apt to get stereotyped, and then comes 
a sameness and indefmiteness in their expe- 
rience, and then follows decline and spiritual 
death. The class-meeting, when conducted by 
a thoughtful, cheerful, and intelligent Leader, is 
a most blessed means of grace." f 

* Letter from William Kennedy. 
+ William Farnell's Letter. 



90 The Class Leader. 

Thus the Leader, by approaching his weekly 
service in a befitting frame of mind, and by 
direct, pithy, and fervent exercises at the open- 
ing, adjusting the meeting to its intended ob- 
ject, places the members present in a position 
to comfort and edify one another. By suitable 
remarks and advices, brief and stirring, during 
the progress of the meeting, he may still further 
promote this object. 

The pertinence and brevity which the Leader 
observes in his exercises should be imitated by 
the members. The design of speaking in class 
is not to exhibit oratorical gifts, or to utter an 
harangue, but to edify. Long, cold, formal 
speeches are rarely adapted to such a purpose. 
A set form of words soon becomes distasteful. 
Freshness, point, life, unction, brevity, are the 
chief requisites of good class-meeting speaking. 
Prosy, long and irrelevant addresses, are not 
admissible, because they are not edifying. And 
without edification the class-meeting becomes 
worthless. 

Some of those loquacious speakers who de- 



Mutual Edification. 91 

stroy the good feeling of the class-room by their 
tedious speeches, were probably in the mind 
of the pastor who, when a female member of 
his Church was complaining to him that her 
inability to express her feelings deterred her 
from going to the class-meeting, said, " Well, 
sister, don't be discouraged by this, for some 
can express all they feel, and a great deal 
more." 

It is a delicate thing for a Leader to reprove 
a member for lengthened and desultory speak- 
ing, and it sometimes is a perplexing question 
how to best treat such cases. A gentle sug- 
gestion in private may sometimes do the work. 
If it be necessary to bring them under disci- 
pline in the class-room to prevent harm to the 
meeting, the method of Mr. Wolff, of Cincinnati, 
which has proved efficient in his hands, may 
be found useful. He says, "We have some 
who from time to time wish to lecture the class 
or the Church. We head off such by reading 
a verse or two suited to his or her case, or ask 
them to lead in prayer, and it always cures 



92 The Class Leader. 

them, AH this is done in great kindness — 
never using harsh means in word or deed." 

Variety in the exercises of the class-meeting 
is an edifying feature. The composition of the 
class itself often secures this in a good degree. 
There are the old, the young, and the middle 
aged ; the male and female ; the man of leisure 
and the man of toil ; the cultured and the illit- 
erate ; the ardent nature and the stoical ; those 
who are exulting in victory and those who are 
wrestling with the tempter. In such a meeting 
there must be much variety in the remarks if 
the members speak from their experience, and 
in such variety there will generally be a word 
in season for all present. 

In view of the need of variety in the expe- 
riences related, a class ought never to be com- 
posed of one sex, nor of one class of persons, 
exclusively. For years, as pastor, I led week- 
day afternoon classes of women, and I always 
found them the most unsatisfactory because of 
this lack of variety. A Western Leader writes 
on this point as follows : " Have no droning in 



Mtitual Edification. 93 

singing — better have none. Always manage 
to have several female voices. The driest class- 
meeting I ever attended was in Methodist 

Episcopal Church in , one Sunday morn- 
ing in May, 1872. There were present about 
twenty men and not one woman — and such 
singing ! The atmosphere was warm on the 
street, but it was exceedingly cool in the class- 
room." 

No family or Church is composed of persons 
of one sex, nor should classes be ; and differ- 
ent ages, temperaments, and conditions of life 
should be represented in these meetings. 

None should shrink from speaking in class, 
because to edify is a privilege, and the humblest 
and the feeblest may say some word which, 
spoken from the heart, shall go to other hearts, 
and prove an inspiration and a joy. The faint- 
est utterance, a single sentence, may do this 
work. And surely any one who loves Christ 
can speak a word for him and for the comfort 
of his disciples. 

Still, many stay away from the class-room 

7 



94 The Class Leader. 

because they are not willing to speak. They 
should go, even if they do not say any thing, 
that they may be edified in hearing others. 
Their presence alone would be a help to some 
of their fellow-members, though their iips were 
sealed. It would demonstrate their interest in 
spiritual things, and their sympathy with those 
who are striving to be holy. 

It is related of a venerable minister who at- 
tended a camp-meeting near the city of Charles- 
ton, that though he was so deaf he could not 
hear a word of the preaching, yet he went reg- 
ularly, and seated himself in the stand each time 
a sermon was delivered. His brother, the distin- 
guished Rev. Dr. Lovick Pierce, said to him : — 

" Brother, why do you weary yourself going 
to the stand every time, seeing that you cannot 
understand a word ? " 

" I go to fill my place, as every one ought," 
was his emphatic reply. 

And so, if some of our people cannot or will 
not speak in class-meeting, they ought at least 
to go and fill their place in the class-room, and 



Mutual Edification. 95 

thus be edified themselves, and by their pres- 
ence edify others. 

When Church-members are unwilling to 
speak, and yet are ready to attend class if they 
can be excused from speaking, I think the 
course of the Leader is plain. Speaking should 
be left to their option. 

The case of many such members is well 
stated in a letter I have received from a lady in 
Brooklyn in regard to this matter. She says : 
" If the custom of requiring every one to speak, 
whether they have any thing to say or not, 
could be changed, leaving it optional to speak or 
listen only to others' experience, I think from ob- 
servation and the experience of fifty-five years' 
membership, that it would be one of the most 
pleasant and profitable meetings that could pos- 
sibly be held. The present form keeps many 
good people from joining us, and causes others 
to leave. 

" Persons wishing to join our Church have 
objected to me that our members were required 
to meet once a week and make a speech, saying 



q6 The Class Leader. • 

they were sure they could not do that, and that 
the thought of it was giving them great trouble. 
I have endeavored to answer those objections 
by saying, they were not expected to make a 
speech, only to answer any questions that might 
be put to them ; or, if requested to speak of the 
state of their mind, and if they did not think 
they could relate any thing that would be edify- 
ing to others, they could just say that and noth- 
ing more. 

" I suppose it is hardly possible for you 
strong men to realize the difficulty we weaker 
vessels find, sometimes, in expressing ourselves 
before others. There are many pious, intelli- 
gent persons who, from a natural diffidence, 
cannot speak freely in a social gathering of a 
dozen or twenty people on common subjects 
with which they are familiar : how much more 
difficult to speak of the deep experiences of the 
heart!" 



Reclaiming Wanderers. 97 



CHAPTER VI. 

RECLAIMING WANDERERS. 

jT7J\0 you know," said a Christian Sabbath- 



G^-> school teacher to a friend, " that , 

who is a member of my Sunday-school class, 
has become very wicked, and is throwing him- 
self away ? " 

" Has his Class Leader visited him ? " was 
the reply. 

" I inquired of him," said the teacher, " and 
he said that his Leader had not visited him, 
and he was glad he had not." 

" How many are lost," remarked the other, 
'•' because their Class Leaders do not visit 
them ! " 

" That recalls my own case," said the teacher. 
■' Once my employer offended me, and I gave 
way to anger, felt condemned, and did not go to 
class that week, and concluded not to go any 
more. On the next Sunday, while in church, I 



98 The Class Leader. 

reflected on what my Leader had said, and con- 
cluded to go to class again, and did go, and to 
this day I am holding fast, and shall ever thank 
God that my Leader visited me." 

A Class Leader, in looking over his class- 
book, found that one of his members had been 
absent from class-meeting four times. It was 
his habit to visit a member who had been ab- 
sent two successive weeks, and sometimes, if 
absent but once. This case he had forgotten, 
but now hastened to see the delinquent. The 
man frankly acknowledged, after his Leader had 
affectionately conversed with him, that he had 
neglected his duties, burst into tears, and said 
that he had never had religion. The next day 
the Leader again visited him, talked and wept 
with him, and left a suitable book for him to 
read. The next class night he called by ap- 
pointment for him, and took him to the class- 
meeting. The wanderer obtained an experi- 
ence of grace, continued to attend the class, 
and remained steadfast in the faith. 

The late Rev. Tobias Spicer, long an able 



Reclaiming Wanderers. 99 

minister of the Gospel, related the following in- 
cident in his own history : — 

" When young in Christian experience, and 
somewhat ignorant of Satan's devices, I became 
much grieved with a member of the Church by 
whom I supposed I had been injured. Under 
afflicted feelings I stayed away one Sabbath 
from church and from class, and had well-nigh 
come to the conclusion to have nothing more 
to do with the Church. 

" But the Leader missed me, and the next 
day came to see me. He spoke kind words, 
calling me brother, telling me he had feared I 
was sick, as I was not at church the day before. 
He showed himself an affectionate friend, and 
made some explanation as to the matter of 
grievance. This affectionate care and kind at- 
tention of the Leader broke the snare of the 
tempter, convinced me that I had got among 
the right kind of Christians, whose economy 
was well calculated to help the feeble and build 
them up in their most holy faith. Although 
more tha^n forty years have since passed, I look 



ioo The Class Leader. 

back to this event with much gratitude to God 
and my faithful Leader. Blessed man ! I be- 
lieve he is now in heaven." 

Fidelity in visiting and restoring the err- 
ing members of his flock is one of the highest 
excellences of a Class Leader. The above 
examples show the vast importance and the 
blessed results of such service. " Father 
Reeves," who was probably one of the most 
useful Leaders in English Methodism, was a 
most laborious visitor. " Taking his class- 
books from 1825 to 1852, nearly thirteen thou- 
sand visits may be traced — an average of four 
hundred and fifty a year ; and during the last 
five years they averaged six hundred and fifty 
a year. These are exclusively to his classes — 
to those detained by sickness, business, or 
temptation." " A poor woman, who with her 
husband met in Father Reeves's class, writes : 
1 If we have been absent from the class through 
illness, he has been sure to call the next morn- 
ing before nine o'clock.' " * 

* Father Reeves : Methodist Class Leader : Nelson & Phillips. 



Reclaiming Wanderers. 101 

Many persons enter the Church under seri- 
ous disadvantages. They have been devoted to 
sinful follies, and even addicted to profligate 
vices. But in a powerful revival they have 
been suddenly converted. They intend to lead 
a new life, but old habits strive to regain 
their wonted mastery. Old associates also are 
their tempters. Inexperienced, uninstructed, 
they have to battle with cunning and powerful 
foes. It is not surprising, therefore, though it 
is sad, that they should stumble, and even fall. 

But should they be given up ? By no means. 
Dreadful as was the fall of the king and psalm- 
ist of Israel, " the Lord sent Nathan to David." 
The hand of sympathy timely extended, the 
loving word, the pitiful tear, may break the spell 
of temptation, awaken contrition, and lead to 
renewed and more constant efforts after a bet- 
ter life, To neglect them is to let them perish. 
They need help both to rise and to stand. The 
Church should watch and nurse them like a 
mother her infant. It should keep them sur- 
rounded with an atmosphere of love, and hold 



to2 The Class Leader. 

them to the right by its personal and sacred 
ministries. 

Many, also, who enter the Church in our re- 
vivals are young, volatile, easily influenced by 
circumstances, accustomed to the sway of im- 
pulse, and are therefore very likely at first to 
be unsteady in their movements in the path 
of life. They must be trained to stability and 
consistency of Christian character. They will 
not have the firmness and steadiness of old 
Christians at once. If they stumble, pains 
must be taken to help them to regain their foot- 
ing ; and if they wander, they should be followed 
by yearning sympathies, tender remonstrances, 
loving appeals, and fervent prayers, until they 
are induced to return. By such means how 
many might be happily saved who now are 
hopelessly lost ! 

The duty of restoring the wanderers from his 
class devolves chiefly upon the Leader Of 
couise the pastor has a responsibility in such 
cases ; but so intimate is the relation of a Leader 
to the members of his class, that no one, not 



Reclaiming Wanderers. 103 

even the pastor, can fill his place. He should 
be the good shepherd ever ready to leave the 
ninety and nine sheep that are safe in the fold, 
and, with deep solicitude and unyielding per- 
sistence, seek the one that is lost in the wil- 
derness. 

To do this he must see them alone. He 
must make them feel, by his personal attention, 
that they are on his heart. This will greatly 
strengthen his influence over them, and make 
them receptive of his appeals. Such faithful 
and kindly efforts will seldom prove vain. 

A man under middle life was brought into 
the Church in a revival in Jersey City. He 
had a situation as book-keeper in New York, 
which afforded him a comfortable support, 
but he had a special besetment — love of 
liquor. He was very regular at class-meet- 
ing and at the other services of the Church 
for several months, when his Leader began to 
discern in him unfavorable indications. There 
was, however, no marked dereliction. He asked 
for his certificate, which was given him, and he 



104 The Class Leader. 

removed with his family to New York. Some 
months afterward his old Leader learned that 
he had relapsed into intemperance, had lost his 
situation, beggared his family, and was in a 
most distressed condition. 

The Leader crossed the ferry, went to the 
house in New York where he lived, and told 
him that he had come to help him. " Now," 
said the Leader, " if you will go back to Jersey 
City I will furnish you a place for yourself and 
family to board, and will pay the bills until you 
are restored and can obtain a situation." 

Friendless, impoverished, crushed by the 
tempter, the kind, generous offer came like a 
godsend, and was accepted. He returned to 
Jersey City, and for several weeks the Leader 
paid his board-bill, furnished him money to re- 
deem the goods which had gone to the pawn- 
broker's, and to meet other necessities, and his 
shattered, nervous system began to recuperate. 
He immediately re-commenced attending class, 
and confessed his wanderings. 

This good Leader is a man whose means 



Reclaiming Wanderers. 105 

enable him easily to invest one or two hundred 
dollars in cash in such a work of reclamation, 
which, of course, is not the case with all Lead- 
ers ; and yet the effort, with the spirit that 
prompted it, is worthy the imitation of all who 
occupy this delicate and responsible office. 

Going after the lost is Christ-like. He said, 
" I came not to call the righteous, but sinners 
to repentance." " The Son of man is come to 
seek and to save that which was lost." And a 
Class Leader can find no higher or more blessed 
employment than that of imitating the Master 
by personally seeking those who are thus run- 
ning to their ruin. 

He is under sacred obligations to do this 
He has accepted the care of souls. A class 
has been committed to his charge containing 
persons who are weak, wayward, impulsive, 
tempted, and who, if instructed, encouraged, 
and reclaimed from their errors and stumblings 
by his faithful and sympathizing ministry, may 
be saved to Christ and to heaven, but who, if 
he neglect them, will probably stray to destruo- 



106 The Class Leader. 

tion. He cannot treat their absence from the 
class-room, and their aberrations and lapses, 
with indifference, and be faithful to his con- 
science and to their souls. He must seek them 
and find them, and not give them up until he 
has exhausted his resources of invention and 
persuasion to bring them back. He must seek 
them at their homes, or wheresoever he can 
best get access to them, and throw about them 
the safeguard of his watchcare. 

It frequently happens that class-members are 
so situated that a Leader can rarely obtain in- 
terviews with them for private religious con- 
versation. Many dwell in boarding houses, and 
work in establishments where they are con- 
stantly surrounded by fellow-workmen. In the 
case of many who live in their own homes it is 
difficult for their Leader to see them apart 
from the family, so as to be able without re» 
straint to say the things that are in his heart 
Even in such cases he should not fail to visit 
them often enough to show them his interest 
and sympathy, which only his presence can 



Reclaiming Wanderers. 107 

fully reveal, but his admonitions and appeals 
can, perhaps, be best conveyed by another 
method. The affectionate epistle will often 
admirably meet such cases. 

It is related of an Episcopal clergyman who 
was in charge of a large congregation in Phila- 
delphia, that, though he was very laborious in 
pastoral visitation, he yet found it impossible to 
perform all the personal ministrations which his 
solicitude for the spiritual good of his people 
prompted him to do. He, therefore, as parish- 
ioners came to his knowlege requiring admoni- 
tion or expostulation, wrote pastoral letters to 
them, expressing his deep concern for them 
and his wish to do them good, and conveying 
such counsels and appeals as he thought to be 
necessary. By this means he promptly reached 
such as needed the timely word of admonition 
or counsel. 

The Leaders of Methodism may profit by 
this example. They can secure the attention 
and interest of delinquent members by send- 
ing them suitable epistles, if in no other 



ro8 The Class Leader. 

way. This practice, too, has sacred authority 
St. Paul wrote to those who needed his inter- 
position as their spiritual guide when he could 
not communicate with them otherwise. So also 
did St. Peter, St. John, and other of the first 
teachers of the Church. So did Wesley, our 
founder, and Summerfield, our most eloquent 
preacher. Some of the most useful Leaders, 
such as Carvosso and Father Reeves, have 
done the same. Christian letter-writing has 
been an effective means in many hands in 
turning the sinner from the error of his way, 
and encouraging believers in the work of right- 
eousness. It is a method of doing good, which, 
in cases where it is appropriate, may be very 
usefully employed by discreet and faithful Class 
Leaders. 

The Leader should also employ his members 
in restoring and helping one another. It will 
often prove an effectual way of reaching ab- 
sentees and wanderers to depute suitable per- 
sons belonging to the class to see them, and try 
to influence them to return. How successful 



Reclaiming Wanderers. 109 

such efforts may prove is shown in the follow- 
ing fact, which was printed many years ago in 
one of our Church papers : — 

There was a man, a conspicuous Church- 
member, who, though blameless in life, could 
not be induced to attend class-meeting. One 
day a fellow-member of his class asked him if 
he knew that he was a stumbing-block in the 
Church ? He replied that he did not, and that 
he would not be for the world. He was then 
told that his absence from class was a cause of 
distress to many of his weaker brethren. They 
did not see how he could occupy so prominent 
a place in the Church, when, by his example, 
he aimed a blow at one of her most vital insti- 
tutions. In a Christian spirit the reproved 
member replied, that if such were the case he 
would neglect the class-meeting no longer. He 
went, acknowledged it to be a heavenly place 
in Christ Jesus, and continued to be a regular 
attendant. 

Such fidelity shown toward each other by 
class members must be very useful in main- 



no The Class Leader. 

taining the spirituality and constancy of the 
membership : and while the Leader should 
never try to lay his responsibility upon others, 
he may wisely and profitably employ the co- 
operation of his members in looking after such 
as need to be helped in their spiritual struggles, 
or recovered from their aberrations and back- 
slidings. 

Some classes have had Assistant Leaders 
who divided with the Leader the work of caring 
for the class. Such Assistants can often meet 
calls from those who require attention to which 
the Leader may not be able to respond. One 
who has had a long experience as Leader says : 
"We should have assistant leaders or class 
stewards, whose duty it should be, in unison 
with the regular Leader, to visit every absentee, 
sick or well, and kindly induce them, by every 
laudable incentive, to attend steadily these 
blessed services of spiritual communion." * 

Every class in which there are many female 
members ought to have a lady assistant. Her 

* I. N. Kanaga, Newark, N. J. Letter to the author 



Reclaiming Wanderers. in 

services would be useful in various ways among 
those of her own sex whom the Leader often 
finds it difficult to approach. She could see 
absent females and bring them again to the 
class-room, who, without her interposition, 
might finally wander from the Church. 

The English Methodists employ women 
largely as Leaders. Mr. Farnell writes : " I 
should say there is not a circuit in England 
without them. We had four in the church I 
came from, and very excellent Leaders. Some 
of them were of large classes of females. . . . 
When I came here I was surprised to find there 
were no female Leaders. Whenever the females 
take any thing in hand they do it with a will." * 

It probably is often the case that the deli- 
cacy of a Leader restrains him from following 
up absentees as he should. He suspects that 
the reason for their absence may be that they 
do not altogether like him personally, or his 
manner of conducting the class. He therefore 
hesitates to press frhem to attend. He feels 

* Letter of William Farnell to tlie Author. 



ri2 The Class Leader. 

that he must be modest in pursuing them from 
week to week, as they absent themselves from 
the class-room, lest he should be thought too 
importunate in his endeavors to secure their 
attendance at a meeting in which he presides. 
Thus many Leaders, who have mourned and 
prayed in secret over their absent members, 
have been prevented from using such vigorous 
and persistent efforts as were necessary to 
bring them to the class-meeting. 

Assistant Leaders, whether male or female, 
would be of the highest service in such ex- 
igences. They would not be restrained by 
modesty from pressing with frequency and en- 
ergy the duty of class attendance upon such 
members as neglected it. Such assistants, too, 
might profitably assist in conducting the class- 
meeting, and in the necessary absence of the 
Leader take his place in the class-room. 



The Stranger. 113 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE STRANGER. 

jTfTN this country the people are migratory. 
2^ This is so especially in our larger towns 
and cities. In most urban communities there 
is a ceaseless outflowing and inflowing of pop- 
ulation. 

Very many are lost to our Church by re 
moval through their neglect to take with them 
certificates of membership, or from their failure 
to connect themselves with the Church where 
they nx their new residence. This is one 
reason why the apparent gain of members 
from our yearly probation ranks is no larger. 
If all the Methodists who change the place of 
their abode could be promptly introduced into 
the Church where they locate, much of the fruit 
of arduous toil and prayer would be preserved 
which now is lost to the cause of God. 

When a Church-member settles in a town a? 



*I4 The Class Leader. 

a resident, and is unacquainted with any one, 
there comes over his feelings an irresistible 
sense of strangeness and loneliness. The place 
is strange ; each form and countenance he 
meets on the street or sees in the Church is 
strange. Gentleness and intelligence may beam 
from the stranger eyes that glance upon him, 
but there is no gleam of friendly recognition. 
No loving " How are you ? I am glad to see 
you," thrills his ear. Images of dear ones far 
away throng in the temple of his thoughts ; 
memories of fond companionships and holy 
communings flit through his mind, like breath- 
ings from a better sphere ; the melodies of the 
distant class-room and church float on his ear 
until he " hears the songs of other days ;" fa- 
miliar voices, soft and sweet, echo around him ; 
but he wakes to feel that they are only echoes, 
and his delightful revery dissolves into the cold 
reality of absence from home. 

The effect of this trying experience of the 
Christian stranger is sometimes to lead him to 
make himself known to the Chureh and to form 



The Stranger. TT r 

the acquaintance of its members. It frequently, 
however, drives him to seclusion. Diffidence 
and his solitary feelings hold him aloof, and he 
fancies that the people of the Church he hap- 
pens to attend are distant in their bearing 
toward him, and that any notice he receives is 
cold and critical, rather than cordial and sym- 
pathetic. He, perhaps, is thrown into contact 
with worldly persons, or those of another de- 
nomination, whose cordiality wins his interest, 
and whose attentions attract him to other paths ; 
and so his sense of alienation from the Church 
of his choice deepens, and most likely an ex- 
perience of religion that was bright and hope- 
ful becomes shaded by an isolation that darkens 
into worldliness. 

To care for the stranger is one of the mos\ 
delicate and important duties of the Church. 
' I was a stranger, and ye took me in," is the en- 
comium which the Master will pronounce upon 
many a saint when he passes into the enjoy- 
ment of his eternal reward ; and " I was a 
stranger, and ye took me not in," will be the 



n6 The Class Leader. 

words that shall fix the doom of many a neg- 
lecter of Christ's disciples. 

The class-meeting has an admirable adapta- 
tion to a Christian stranger's needs, in that it 
affords him a ready means of making himself 
known to and forming the acquaintance of ear- 
nest Christians, and of securing at once the 
benefits of a fervid, saintly communion. Many 
strangers have there speedily found an asylum 
from their exile, and have there felt the timely 
clasp of a brother's hand relieve their dreary 
sense of solitude. 

The members of classes can do much for the 
stranger by fraternal salutations, by inviting 
him to the class-room, and making him feel that 
they enjoy his presence there, and by mani- 
festing sympathy for him in his trial in being 
sundered from those with whom he " took 
sweet counsel, and walked to the house of 
God in company." Delicate little attentions 
have an almost magical effect frequently upon 
a stranger's feelings — a smile, a softly-spoken 
word, going a little out of the way to notice 



The Stranger. 1 17 

him — are small acts, but their effects are often 
very precious. 

The Leader, however, bears a special relation 
of responsibility to the Christian stranger. In 
the case of the Leader, official is added to per- 
sonal influence. He speaks and acts in the 
name of the Church. His words and doings 
have a weight which does not appertain to 
those who are not invested with the dignity 
of office. Besides he, as a sub-pastor, is spe- 
cially charged with the duty of caring for souls. 
It is his office to seek out strangers, and intro- 
duce them into his class and into the Church. 
Notice and attention from him will usually be 
more prized, and more productive of good im- 
pressions on strangers, than the same amount 
of attention from unofficial members. 

To far too great an extent Class Leaders 
neglect this work of caring for strangers. They 
are not searched out as they ought to be. There 
is not enough personal attention given them. 
Sufficient effort is not made to induce them to 
go to the class-meeting, and to introduce them 



fiS The Class Leader* 

into the fellowship of the Church, and as the 
result we are constantly suffering loss. 

A writer in one of our Church journals many 
years ago, in speaking of the work and duty of 
Leaders, put the following significant question 
concerning them : "Are they busy seeking out 
awakened persons, and strangers who profess 
religion and from time to time come into the 
public assemblies with certificates from other 
Churches, which they are retaining in their 
possession ? " It is to be feared that in too 
many instances the truth would require a nega- 
tive answer to this inquiry. 

Whenever a Leader learns of a Methodist 
who has come to reside in his neighborhood, he 
ought to invite him personally to the class- 
meeting, take an interest in his spiritual welfare, 
and try to secure his confidence and affection. 
He should find his residence and call upon him, 
introduce him to such of the members as would 
be likely to be specially congenial to him, and 
make known the case to the pastor, that he 
also may have an opportunity to fulfill bis part 



The Stranger. ' ny 

A the work of caring for the stranger, and then 
see that the pastor does it. By such fidelity 
very many would be retained in the Church 
who now are lost to it altogether. 

Mr. Farnell, when a Leader in England, was 
accustomed to place his card of invitation to 
his class-meeting in the hands of strangers 
whom he saw in the church, and whom he 
judged to be either serious or converted per- 
sons. This card is given on page 33, and 
such a device might be employed with good 
results, probably, by very many of our Class 
Leaders. 

It is often the case that in looking after 
strangers persons will be found who left their 
former homes without certificates of member- 
ship. They should be induced to send for 
then without delay. By whatever means the 
Leader can employ he should bring them under 
the Church's care and into the enjoyment of 
its comforting and helpful fellowship. 



120 The Class Leader. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE POOR. 

EOST of the men who are conspicuous 
and useful in our Church were once 
poor. Many of them have acquired wealth, and 
are nobly using it in promoting the Church's 
enterprises and in meliorating and elevating 
the condition of mankind. They were attracted 
to our Church in the days of their poverty, 
chiefly because of its adaptation to and sym- 
pathy with the poor. They identified their 
lives and destinies with it. Under God, it has 
saved them. Its influence has guided and en- 
nobled them, and made them successful in the 
world. Had Methodism not courted the poor, 
and ministered to their moral and spiritual 
needs, nearly every thing that is splendid and 
heroic in its history would be wanting and in- 
stead of a vast ecclesiastical organization, whose 
arms reach to the ends of the earth, we should 



The Poor. 121 

witness only a diminutive body, without popular 
and aggressive power. 

" The poor ye have always with you," said 
the Master. It is as true now as ever. In all 
the world the men and women who are com- 
pelled with sweat to wring from reluctant na- 
ture their daily bread are an immense majority. 
The brightest glory of Christianity is, that " the 
poor have the Gospel preached unto them." 
The Church that turns from them is accursed. 
And thrice accursed will the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church be if it ever shall become in- 
different to the class who have built it up in 
magnificence from foundation to topstone ! 

The fairest jewels in the coronet of Meth- 
odism have been gathered from lowly places. 
That Methodist girl whose beautiful life glori- 
ous experience, and saintly death, as told by 
Legh Richmond in his simple story of " The 
Dairyman's Daughter," have charmed Christen- 
dom, and converted multitudes, was a girl in 
humble life. Now princes in intellect and piety 
wander to her tomb to pay homage to her faith, 



122 The Class Leader. 

and to breathe renewed vows of devotion over 
her dust, while throughout the Christian world 
the name of Elizabeth Wallbridge is " like oint- 
ment poured forth." 

The chief founder and apostle of Methodism 
in America, Bishop Asbury, was a child of 
poverty, who was converted and led to preach- 
ing while only a lad, but who lived such a 
life, and did such a work, that he ranks ever- 
more with the grandest heroes of the Church 
of God. 

All over the records of Methodism glitter 
names of men and women of whom the world 
was not worthy, who wrought righteousness 
and put to flight the armies of the aliens, and 
who were redeemed from poverty, ignorance, 
and sin by means of its effective agencies. 
And if, because it has grown to wealth and 
power, the Methodist Episcopal Church shall 
cease to adapt its worship to or care for this 
class, and neglect and despise them, "Ichabod" 
will flaunt from the door-posts of its temples, 
and its splendor will expire. Its glory is not 



The Poor. 123 

derived from the wealth and refinement of its 
people, but from the saving faith, enrapturing 
hopes, self-denying and useful lives, and happy 
deaths of those who surround its altars. 

Our fidelity to and success in our work 
among the lowly demand the maintenance of 
our class-meetings. Those whom poverty had 
hitherto doomed to ignorance, but who, being 
now gathered into the Church, require special 
rudimentary instruction in the Christian life, 
and extraordinary care in their moral and re- 
ligious training, must be especially nourished. 
They also greatly need the aid of the pleasant 
fellowship of the class-room, for they especial- 
ly cannot stand alone. They require a cordon 
of strong arms to help them to stand. 

The peculiar method of edifying which the 
class-meeting furnishes is admirably adapted 
to the wants and condition of such people. 
The doctrinal statements and ethical teachings 
of the pulpit are frequently too abstract for 
f .hem. They want truth in concrete forms, 
especially at first. The vivid experience of a 



124 The Class Leader. 

living Christian, artlessly related, will strike 
their minds with more force, and convey more 
instruction to them, than would often the most 
eloquent address. They are not able to bear 
" strong meat," and must be fed with the " milk 
of the word." An inspiring class-meeting will 
tone up their souls for the spiritual battles of 
the ensuing week as scarcely any other service 
can do. 

This condition also makes it necessary that 
they should have special pastoral attention. 
Visiting the poor is an important department of 
the Christian pastorate, and they are so numer- 
ous in our Churches, or should be, particularly 
in cities, that the pastor requires assistance in 
meeting their demands upon his care. The 
Class Leaders are brought into contact with 
them once a week, learn their experience, and 
if they are absent from class-meeting, should 
visit and bring them back. 

The Leaders, therefore, can appropriately and 
usefully minister to them privately and in their 
families as their spiritual exigences require, and 



The Poor. 125 

maintain supervision of their life and walk gen- 
erally. Without the Leadership much that is 
necessary to be done in the spiritual culture 
and training of the Lord's poor must be left 
undone. This subpastorate in our Church is 
of the highest importance to this valuable and 
numerous class of people. If the Methodist 
Church shall so administer the Gospel as that 
none shall truthfully say, " No man careth for 
my soul," it must every-where maintain a faith- 
ful and efficient Leadership. 

A Church which is continually gathering the 
poor from the highways and hedges into its 
communion, must expect to frequently have 
occasion for the display of its pecuniary be- 
nevolence. Sickness, dearth of employment, 
death, and other causes, often bring want 
and distress to the homes of Christ's poor, 
who are in a special sense his representatives. 
Out of lowliness and want he will bring 
them soon to dwell in palaces of light, and 
to sit on thrones. Then he "shall feed them, 
and shall lead them unto living fountains of 



126 The Class Leader. 

waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from 
their eyes." 

But while they are here he intrusts them to 
the care of his Church. If they be naked, he 
requires disciples to whom he has vouchsafed a 
better store, to clothe them ; if they be hungry, 
to feed them ; if they be sick, to visit them. 
And he declares that what we thus do for them 
he accepts as though done unto Himself. 

It is the delicate but pleasant duty of the 
Class Leader to see that such of his members 
as are thus suffering the bitterness of adversity 
are comforted and relieved. For him, who in 
the arrangement of Providence is bound to them 
by more than common Christian bonds, to neg- 
lect them in their want and trouble, is to 
grieve their Lord. He does not forsake them. 
Their lowly homes are glorified by his presence. 
He soothes their aching hearts. He calms 
their throbbing, weary brows. He makes all 
their bed in their sickness. When they are 
dying his ministering angels wait around them 
to be their escort to Paradise. 



The Poor 127 

The Leader, too, must tenderl) care for such. 
No delicacy must prevent him from ascertain- 
ing and relieving their necessities. Nothing in 
their condition must deter him. What if there 
be an absence of ornament and attractiveness 
about their rude dwellings, and themselves little 
and unknown among their more favored neigh- 
bors? Their worth and claims consist not in 
such external things, but in themselves — their 
divinely created and redeemed bodies and souls. 
Though unknown to the great world, they are 
members of the household of faith, and their 
names are written in heaven. 

I have sometimes found in the Churches a 
sad lack of both delicacy and system in caring 
for poor members. In many places the chief 
reliance for this purpose is upon the collection 
taken at the monthly sacrament. This com- 
monly goes into the hands of a steward, who 
may or may not have a Christ-like disposition 
toward the poor. If he have not, he is not dis- 
posed to be very industrious in searching for 
suitable opportunities to disburse it ; and if such 



12$ The Class Leader. 

opportunities are brought to his notice, he is 
inclined to be very sparing in the distribution 
of the funds. 

While it is proper to afford the Church an 
opportunity at the sacrament to give to the 
poor, I think the Class Leader is, by the nature 
of his office, and by his relation to his mem- 
bers, the person, above all others, to bear the 
responsibility of administering to them. He 
knows them. Even the pastor, who every three 
years at most gives place to a successor, can- 
not be expected to know them so well. The 
Leader usually abides. He has only the mem- 
bers of his class to care for, while the pastor, 
much of the time a stranger, is engrossed with 
the whole membership, and the multiform inter- 
ests and demands of the Church. Every true 
pastor's heart is in sympathy with the poor, but 
from the necessities of the case, he must, in 
large Churches, depend chiefly upon assistants 
to attend to the details of ministering to them. 

The Leaders are the appropriate assistants 
of the pastor in this work. They should see 



The Poor, 129 

that all needy members be suitably and tender- 
ly provided for. They, with their influence, 
gift of speech, and knowledge of the case, can 
secure from the Church the needed supplies, 
and in this the pastor will readily and success- 
fully co-operate. They should especially enlisl 
the interest of those of their class members 
who are in better circumstances, in behalf of 
their less fortunate brothers and sisters. Each 
class might thus be led to care for its own 
needy ones. 

My friend, Rev. J. Longking, has told me of a 
class composed of wealthy people, in which 
there is a poor member. The class hold her 
directly under their care, and see that she does 
not want for any thing. Delicacies are sent to 
her as well as the more substantial supplies, not 
in a way to make her feel the humiliation of 
dependence, but rather the strength of her fel- 
low-members' affection, and the tenderness of 
their care. Almost all our classes, whether 
composed of the wealthy or otherwise, could, 
by proper attention to the needy ones among 



130 The Class Leader. 

them, see that their necessities are delicately 
and lovingly met. 

In this work the services of woman are often 
of the greatest value. Her native delicacy and 
grace, her gentle way of approach, her tender 
sympathy, her readiness of access to sufferers 
of her own sex, her quick insight into the con- 
dition of a household, render her a most be- 
fitting and useful minister to the unfortunate. 
In such ministries I have found her to be al- 
most indispensable. What is said in a pre- 
ceding chapter about female assistant Leaders 
of classes is applicable here. 

I have found in my observations that these 
needy class members are not always the recipi- 
ents of such thoughtful care from Leaders as 
they should be. Because they are needy, it has 
seemed to me, they are neglected. This is a 
special reason why they should be attended to. 
" We then that are strong ought to bear the in- 
firmities of the weak." " Bear ye one another's 
burdens." "God is not unrighteous to forget 
your work and labor of love, in that ye have 



The Poor. 131 

ministered to the saints, and do minister." 
" Pure religion and undefined before God and 
the Father is this : To visit the fatherless and 
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself 
unspotted from the world." 

Once while I was visiting a class member, 
who by unexpected misfortune had for the time 
been brought to almost utter destitution, she 
said to me, speaking the name of her Leader, 

" I thought brother would have come to 

see me." She made no further allusion to him. 
She did not censure him, though he knew of 
her case. But these words, filled with uncon- 
scious pathos, showed that her heart turned to 
him and had met disappointment in the time 
of tribulation. These things ought not so 
to be. 

Sometimes the unworthy foist themselves 
upon the Church, and through their hypocrisy 
secure the means of living in idleness or vice ; 
and such cases may be used as reasons why 
there should be hesitation in ministering to the 
temporal needs of poor members. Ought the 



132 The Class Leader. 

worthy to be left to suffer because the Church's 
confidence and sympathy is occasionally mis- 
directed ? There cannot in this world be abso- 
lute freedom from mistake. And it were far 
better that now and then the Church should be 
imposed upon by the fraudulent, than that 
through fear of such imposition one of the 
weakest of Christ's little ones should go un- 
visited and unrelieved. 

Churches with free sittings are a necessary 
provision for the poor. The pew system in 
churches is well adapted to exclude the very 
class that most need their ministrations. That 
system assumes that if the godless multitudes 
wish to hear the Gospel they will hire pews in 
the churches. Now the truth is, that most of 
them do not desire to hear it, and if they did 
their poverty would often prevent them on such 
terms. They need to be invited and persuaded 
to go to the house of the Lord. They require 
to be made welcome, and to be placed upon an 
equality of privilege while there with other 
worshipers. If they are not they will not go, 



The Poor. 133 

only in exceptional cases. The masses of the 
poor and perishing will be excluded. 

It is wrong for the Church to erect barriers 
that might prevent any from attendarse upon 
public worship.- It is the Church's duty to pre- 
sent every inducement and attraction possible to 
the sinful multitudes ; therefore, the system of 
renting or selling pews ought not to prevail, ex- 
cept, possibly, in special cases. The house of 
the Lord should be free, and there the rich and 
the poor should meet together. 

The class-meeting and Class Leaders have 
an important relation to the system of free 
churches which in most of this country has 
distinguished Methodism. This system is one 
of the secrets of our marvelous success among 
the poor. And the weekly or monthly contri- 
butions in classes have been the financial re- 
liance and strength of the system. 

For the efficient maintenance of free church- 
es it is necessary that the Leaders exercise 
skill and energy in securing the class collec- 
tions. Some Leaders, otherwise effective, are 



134 The Class Leader. 

sadly deficient in this particular. It should not 
be Efficiency in maintaining the financial 
system in the class-meet;ing is vital to the 
cause of free churches, and every Leader ought 
to feel, therefore, that he is nobly serving God 
and humanity in helping to keep the church 
free for all by diligently working the system of 
class collections. 

In regard to collections in classes I quote 
the following from a good authority : — 

" Let there be a meeting of the Stewards and 
Leaders of the circuit or station, in order to 
ascertain the amount necessary to meet the 
expenses for the year, and to devise means for 
raising it. Let this amount be divided among 
the several classes, according to the privileges 
they enjoy and the means they possess ; and 
let each Leader pledge himself to raise the 
sum apportioned to his class. In order to ac- 
complish this, let him inform the members be- 
longing to his class what amount is necessary, 
and how much his class is expected to raise. 
Let the Leader remind his brethren of the 



The Poor. 135 

value of the privileges which they enjoy, and 
the propriety of their bearing their proportion 
of the expenses necessary to sustain these priv- 
ileges. It is as much the duty of Leaders to 
instruct their members in these matters, and to 
reprove them for covetousness when they neg- 
lect their duty in this particular, as it is to 
inquire how their souls prosper, or to comfort 
them in affliction. And, especially, let the 
Leader inquire of each member personally what 
he will give toward making up the sum appor- 
tioned to his class ; and let him set down on 
his class-book opposite each name the sum 
promised, and when paid credit it in another 
column, opposite the name." 

None need fear that the introduction of 
money-matters at the close of a spiritual and 
edifying class-meeting will detract from its use- 
fulness. On the contrary, as God loves a cheer- 
ful giver, the very act of contributing to sustain 
his Church in its great work of saving men be- 
comes an additional means of blessing. If the 
poor are to be largely reached and saved by the 



136 The Class Leader. 

Gospel, especially in cities, there must be an 
adequate number of free churches. And their 
maintenance depends largely upon the fidelity 
of Leaders in gathering weekly or monthly 
contributions from their classes. 



The Leader in the Sick-room. 137 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE LEADER IN THE SICK-ROOM. 

N defining the authority of the Class Leader 



i 



i<*-» Mr. Wesley says : " He has authority to 
meet his class, to receive their contributions, 
and to visit the sick in his class!' 

The care of the sick was, therefore, in the 
view of the founder of class-meetings, one of 
the chief portions of a Leader's work. It is a 
part of his work, too, which no Leader can af- 
ford to neglect ; for whatever his gifts, a Lead- 
er could hardly maintain a successful class if 
he habitually overlooked his sick and afflicted 
members. 

All persons love to receive affectionate at- 
tention, and especially do those who have a 
nervous and impressible temperament. If ever 
one's mood is of that sort, it is when both 
body and mind suffer the annoyance and de- 
bility of sickness. To be neglected then by 



138 The Class Leader. 

those we most trust and cherish is a trial griev- 
ous to bear. 

Many able preachers have seriously damaged 
their influence with their congregations by neg- 
lecting to care for the afflicted. Those who, 
while well and busy, are ready to excuse a pas- 
tor for any lack of personal attention, are often 
not so lenient when they are visited by sick- 
ness and deprived of their ordinary occupa- 
tion and means of enjoyment. They then more 
fully realize their need of religious ministra- 
tions. They look to their spiritual teacher and 
guide for help and comfort ; and for a pastor to 
be indifferent to them is frequently to forfeit 
both confidence and respect. 

A religious newspaper lately said : " A sister 
who has been afflicted with illness for years, 
and been confined to her room months at a 
time, writes us that she has had occasional calls 
from her pastor, but that at such times she has 
not heard a prayer from him, nor any spiritual 
conversation, unless it was drawn out by her- 
self. She adds, 'Please tell me if etiquette is 



The Leader in the Sick-room. 139 

the commission modern ministers labor under, 
instead of the great commission, 'Go preach?' 
I am hungry for comfort." 

This sufferer may have been morbidly critical 
and exacting, yet she shows the common feel- 
ing of Christians in affliction. She wished to 
hear her pastor pray at her bedside, and to 
have him cheer and help her by conversation 
about the things that were most precious to 
her. And because he did not freely respond 
to this want she was grieved. 

The relations of the Leader to the sick of his 
class are scarcely less intimate and important 
than those of the pastor. He is an assistant 
pastor. His sick members, who have been ac- 
customed to his prayers and spiritual conversa- 
tion in the class-room, now that illness prevents 
them from being there, desire to hear the same 
in their sick-room. And if he would maintain 
and increase his influence and usefulness as a 
Leader he must gratify that desire. A Leader 
writes that " on visiting an absent member an- 
other person in the house remarked that she 



140 The Class Leader. 

had been very sick for many weeks, and never 
saw her Leader, and might have died without 
seeing him." * 

Many years ago a preacher wrote : " I have, 
in the course of a few years, examined a num- 
ber of class-books, and have found, in too many 
instances, that they have not been marked as 
they ought to have been. Sometimes there are 
but two different letters to show the attendance 
and non-attendance of members, that is, A. for 
absent, and P. for present ; sometimes, though 
but seldom, S. for sickness. It too frequently 
happens when a member is not present that A. 
is put down opposite his or her name without 
further inquiry, by which course some class- 
books have more of A. than any other letter, 
presenting a sad picture indeed. Frequently, 
when a long string of A's is attached to a name, 
the Leader, in carrying forward his class- list, 
leaves the name out, or tells the preacher, ' there 
is no use to have such members — they don't at- 
tend — they do us no good — cross them off. 1 

£. Leader in "Christian Advocate," Oct. 15, 1845. 



The Leader in the Sick-room. 141 

But I say, Stop. We will go and visit them ; and 
to our surprise we often find them afflicted, or 
aged and infirm, rejoicing in a sense of the love 
of God, but no longer able to assemble them- 
selves with the people of their choice. They 
have borne the burden and heat of the day, 
and are now waiting for their final reward."* 
Such cases show the necessity of Class Leaders 
caring for their sick members. 

There is need of tact in visiting the sick. 
They are not as they were when they were 
well. Infirmities weigh them down. Suffering 
tries their patience. Privation and weakness 
worry and depress them. The demure face 
and lugubrious tone of a sanctimonious inter- 
locutor are altogether out of place at the bed- 
side. The visitor should be bright and cheery, 
yet not hilarious. Gentleness should mark his 
bearing, and his speech should be genial and 
kind. He should manifest tender sympathy, 
and easily accommodate himself to the whim or 
caprice of the sufferer. 

* Rev. J. Bissey, in "Christian Advocate," March 9, 1838. 
10 



142 The Class Leader. 

It is reported of a distinguished Baptist pas- 
tor of New York, who was formerly a Meth- 
odist preacher, that he has a conservatory from 
which he gathers floral gifts which he carries 
to the sick rooms he is called upon to visit. 
He illustrates the spirit of Mrs. Hemans' poem, 
"Bring Flowers:" 

" They have tales of the joyous woods to tell, 
Of the free blue streams and the glowing sky, 
And the bright world shut from his languid eye ; 
They will bear him a thought of the sunny hours, 
And the dream of his youth — bring him flowers, wild 
flowers ! 

" Bring flowers to the shrine where we kneel in prayer. 

They are nature's offering, their place is there I 

They speak of hope to the fainting heart ; 

With a voice of promise they come and part ; 

They sleep in dust through the wintry hours ; 

They break forth in glory — bring flowers, bright flowers." 

Their beautiful hues and fragrance render them 
charming to the senses of the invalid, while, as 
shadows of the Divine beauty, they sweetly 
appeal to the trust and hope of the suffering 
believer. 

On a Sabbath in early spring-time a Chris- 



The Leader in the Sick-room. 143 

tian lady, who had recently been left to the 
woes of widowhood and poverty, with several 
children, was reclining upon her bed oppressed 
with her calamities and secretly bemoaning the 
darkness of her lot, when one of her children, a 
lad, entered her room holding one of the first 
flowers of the season which he had somewhere 
found, and said : 

" See, mother, what a pretty flower ! " 
It at once appealed not only to her eye but 
to her heart. It recalled to her mind the words 
of Jesus, " Consider the lilies of the field, how 
they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin : 
and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in 
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the 
field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into 
the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O 
ye of little faith?" 

That flower was to her an eloquent sermon 
of faith ; it was the means of disclosing to her 
the wrong of distrusting her heavenly Father ; 
and saying in her heart, " I will trust God," she 



144 The Class Leader. 

rose bravely to face adversity and the future. 
That faith was gloriously rewarded. God did 
for her beyond all that she could have thought, 

The New York pastor is right. Take flow- 
ers to the chambers of God's suffering ones. 
They will speak to them of him — of his love- 
liness and love, his care and faithfulness. Where 
a Leader has access to a conservatory, or the 
means to procure a bouquet, he can minister 
very sweetly and profitably to the sick by fre- 
quent gifts of flowers. By such little tokens 
of thoughtfulness and sympathy he can be- 
guile many a solitary and weary hour of the 
sufferer, strengthen his own influence in the 
afflicted household, and so increase his power 
for doing good. 

The more friends a good man can make in a 
community — the more love he can win — the 
greater, of course, must be his influence and 
consequent possibilities of usefulness. A man 
whom no one cares about or loves can do but 
little to religiously benefit any one. Con- 
fidence and a favorable regard are necessary to 



The Leader in the Sick-room. 1 45 

usefulness among a people. Every one, there- 
fore, who would be useful, ought to seek the 
confidence and affection of those whom he 
would benefit. And one of the best ways of 
doing this is to show a delicate, kind, and 
helpful interest in persons who are in afflic- 
tion. 

Visits to the sick should not be prolonged, 
and should always be made pleasant. Long 
and loud talking is inadmissible, because it 
wearies the sick one. Thoughtlessness on this 
point often causes many well-meaning visitors 
to be an annoyance in the sick-room. Do not 
stay long, and while there shed all the sunshine 
you can. Then your coming will be hailed 
with gladness. 

In visiting the sick the Leader should espe- 
cially aim at the spiritual good of the sufferer. 
He should be skillful in shaping the conversa- 
tion to this end, and should breathe such a 
spirit and drop such words as will be likely to 
secure that result. 

The Leader should pray at the bedside of the 



146 The Class Leader. 

sick. After all else is done, the right sort of 
praying in the sick-room amounts to more than 
all. It is not every prayer that is offered in 
chambers of sickness that is so useful. Loud, 
long, formal, discursive prayers, with little refer- 
ence or adaptation to the place and sufferer, 
evidencing no sympathy and tenderness of feel- 
ing, are of little worth in the sick-room, only so 
far as being honestly offered, God may answer 
them. But the same sincerity can infuse itself 
into prayers that by their delicate reference to 
the sick one's needs and sufferings, by their 
gentle and quiet utterance, their tenderness 
of thought and language, and suitableness of 
petition, excluding all that is irrelevant, shall 
be at once a means of light, comfort, and 
strength. Such prayers, poured forth with 
fervor, are more than all besides in the cham- 
ber of affliction. They shed the aroma of 
heaven there. Nothing can take their place. 
Flowers are delightful, but such prayers are 
still more delightful, and leave a better and 
more abiding fragrance. 



The Leader in the Sick-room. 147 

The sickness of his members must sometimes 
be unto death. In such cases it becomes the 
Leader's mournful duty and privilege to ac- 
company them to the gates of the invisible 
world, and minister to them as they pass beyond 
the vail. 

Such a scene must arouse his profoundest 
interest. He stands beside one with whom he 
has been joined in loving, holy fellowship — 
whose recitals of hopes, fears, joys, sorrows, 
trials, victories have been poured into his ear, 
and to whom he often has offered encourage- 
ment, counsel, and help. Together they stood, 
together they fought, together they rejoiced 
and triumphed. Now the one with whom he 
" took sweet counsel," and for whom he has 
borne a fond and prayerful solicitude, has 
come to the last hour of earthly existence : 
the hour of which mention has frequently been 
made in the class-room, and to which his coun- 
sels and admonitions have had reference : the 
hour of " failing flesh and heart," of soul eman- 
cipation, and heavenly coronation. The Leader 



148 The Class Leader. 

weeps and yet rejoices — weeps for the parting, 
but rejoices at the glorious consummation of a 
career over whose progress he has watched with 
tenderest interest. His soul is thrilled with 
the rapture of the hour in which heaven is 
dawning on a spirit he has helped to guide 
thither. Could the departing one frame the 
experiences of the final moment in words they 
might be such as these : — 

I am passing through the valley, 

And its gloom is on my eyes ; 
But I hear celestial voices 

Sounding sweetly from the skies : 
And they sing of coronation, 

And of triumph with the blest ■ 
O I feel the touch of angels 

Gently soothing me to rest 

On the rod and staff I'm leaning 

Of my Shepherd, Saviour, Guide ; 
He protects my trembling footsteps, 

I am sheltered near his side. 
On before, the gates are gleaming, 

And I see the fountains shine 
In the radiancy of glory, 

With a beauty all Divine. 



The LeacUr in the Sick-room, 149 

There are ranks of white-robed beings ; 

Bands of cherished friends I see ; 
And they wave their palms immortal, 

And extend their arms to me. 
Now I fly to their embraces ; 

Lo, I shout beneath the dome 
Of the everlasting temple, — 
• H alleluia ! safe at home ! 

Thus have died multitudes of Methodist class 
members. From such scenes of more than 
royal triumph many a Leader has returned with 
new inspiration to his class-room to help his 
members yet left behind in their struggles on- 
ward toward the haven where 

" — all the ship's company meet 
Who sailed with the Saviour beneath ; 

With shoutings each other they greet 
And triumph o'er sorrow and death." 

Legh Richmond, the Church of England 
clergyman who was called to attend that dying 
Methodist maiden, " the Dairyman's Daughter," 
in her last hours, was not accustomed to such 
death scenes. He describes his last interview 
with the enraptured saint ; gives her last 



150 The Class Leader* 

words, so familiar to Class Leaders and pas- 
tors who have been accustomed to see our 
people die, " I am going — but all is well, well, 
well — ; " tells of the last pressure of her hand 
when speech had failed, and then remarks, " I 
never had witnessed a scene so impressive as 
this before. It completely filled my imagina- 
tion as I returned home." 

Class Leaders who are devoted to their work 
are not unfamiliar with such scenes, however 
strange they may have been to that good minister 
of the Established Church. No. " Our people 
die well." The happy death of Elizabeth Wall- 
bridge has had its counterpart in unnumbered 
Methodist death-chambers. And we believe 
that Methodist class-meetings and faithful Class 
Leaders contribute much, under God, toward 
the preparation of our people for such glorious 
dying — dying which is like a translation in a 
chariot of fire. 

Let the Leader go with his dying members 
down to the banks of Jordan. Let him stand 
closely by them while yet they linger there. 



The Leader in the Sick- room. 151 

though the cold spray moisten his garments. 
Let him hold them by the hand until they slip 
from him to receive the pilotage of angels, and 
the welcome of the triumphant host on the 
other shore. 



152 The Class Leader. 



CHAPTER X, 

THE TROUBLED. 

j TLJ UMAN life is clouded with sorrow. To 
Q>*-> every life there is an outer and an inner 
side. The former is often wreathed with smiles, 
but the latter is as frequently bathed in tears. 
None hesitate to exhibit smiles, but most are 
careful to conceal tears. Persons mingling 
in society are fond of occasion for laughter, 
but they seek seclusion for weeping. They 
laugh in the open day, but " night is the time 
to weep," and then they water their "couch 
with tears." 

Thus men are deceived in regard to the 
troubles of their fellows. They see the signs 
and hear the exclamations of their joy, but are 
not admitted into the privacy of their griefs. 
And so society receives credit for far more 
enjoyment than it has. Could all the secret 
places of weeping be disclosed, and all the sore 



Tke Troubled, 153 

dnd troubled hearts be unvailed, the words of 
the suffering patriarch would be seen to be a 
true picture of human life — " Man is of few 
days, and full of trouble." 

No one can thoughtfully read the Scriptures 
without observing the prominence which is 
given to this fact. It is conspicuous in the 
histories, the biographies, the experiences, the 
teachings, and the promises of the Bible. u Few 
and evil have been the days of the years of my 
pilgrimage," said the venerable Jacob to the 
monarch of the land of his refuge. " Out of the 
abundance of my complaint and grief have I 
spoken," said the weeping Hannah. " I am the 
man that hath seen affliction," exclaimed the 
tearful Jeremiah. "My face is foul with weep- 
ing," declared the sufferer of Uz. "All thy 
waves and thy billows are gone over me," sang 
the pathetic singer of Israel. " She goeth unto 
the grave to weep there," is the affecting pict- 
ure which is given us of Mary of Bethany. 
" In weariness and painfulness, in watchings 
often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, 



154 The Class Leader. 

in cold and nakedness," was the experience of 
Paul ; and the Master said to his disciples, " In 
the world ye shall have tribulation." "Many 
are the afflictions of the righteous." 

The Glass Leader should know, therefore, 
that his must be largely a ministry of comfort. 
He should listen to God's voice saying, " Com- 
fort ye, comfort ye my people." He will have 
no member who will not frequently need com- 
forting ; and it should be his endeavor to be a 
comforter of the troubled. 

The causes of trouble will be various. In the 
case of one there will be overwhelming be- 
reavement ; of another, frustration of worldly 
plans and business disaster ; another will suffer 
from lack of employment ; another, from loss 
of health ; yet another will be bowed with 
domestic grief, the result, perhaps, of the way- 
wardness and misconduct of a prodigal, rebell- 
ious child, inducing the cry of the royal weeper, 
" O Absalom, my son, my son ! " 

Sympathy is essential to the work of comfort- 
ing. If the Leader can "weep with them that 



The Troubled. 155 

weep," he will certainly be a minister of conso- 
lation. " A brother is born for adversity ; " and 
if the Leader can show a brother's heart to his 
troubled members, that heart will be to them a 
shelter from the tempest, and its free and flow- 
ing sympathies like "streams in the desert." 

Those in trouble should receive the Leader's 
special attention and care. " God is a very pres- 
ent help in trouble." It is then, especially, that 
he comes near to his people. His ministers 
should do likewise. Every Leader called in 
God's providence to minister to sorrowing saints, 
should, for their sake and their Master's, take 
scrupulous pains to tenderly and faithfully im- 
part to them the consolations of the Gospel. 

He should make the class-room a sweet asy- 
lum for troubled souls. Its prayers, its songs, 
its teachings, its encouragements, should be 
such as will cheer the fainting and disconsolate. 
While the spirit and exercises of the meeting 
ought to be such as will enkindle an immediate 
glow of -comfort in the tried and the distressed 
bosom, they should especially be such as will 



i$6 . The Class Leader. 

inspire hope of the future, that hope which is 
as "an anchor to the soul, both sure and 
steadfast, and which entereth into that within 
the vail ; whither Jesus, the forerunner, hath for 
us entered." 

Some persons have criticised the songs that 
are most used in social meetings, because they 
contain so much about heaven : " The River 
of Life," "The Shining Shore," "The Sweet 
By and By," "The Robes, the Palms, the 
Crowns," and much more of the like; but 
there is a reason for the universal popularity 
of such songs, and that reason lies in the 
deep pathos of Christian experience. Chris- 
tians are " pilgrims and strangers." Here they 
"have no continuing city," but they are seek- 
ing "one to come." Here they dwell in the 
gloom of a troubled night, but they have heard 
that " there is no night there." Here they part 
with friends, but they "hope to meet again." 
Here they hunger and thirst, but they are told 
that there " they shall hunger no more, neither 
thirst any more." Here they weep, but they 



The Troubled. I $7 

have learned that there " God shall wipe away 
all tears from their eyes." Here they are famil- 
iar with, and must experience, death, but they 
have heard that in that country there shall not 
"be any more death." Here they wander in an 
exile land, beside streams that are turbid and 
sickly ; they hear that there they shall be at 
home, and that " the Lamb shall lead them unto 
living fountains of waters." Here their nerves 
are jarred by incessant discord ; they are told 
that there the inhabitants " sing a new song," 
whose melody never dies. Here they see the 
fairest things wither and perish, but they have 
learned that that inheritance beyond the sky is 
"incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away." 
How, then, shall such songs be repressed ? 
They cannot be. Criticise Niagara if you will, 
but you cannot repress it, nor stifle the thunder 
of its A'oice. And so you may criticise the hymns 
that flash with imagery of the world of light ; 
but no more can be hushed the pathetic songs 
of a better life, that gush from the lips of 

troubled pilgrims going home. Sing them they 
11 



158 The Class Leader. 

must ; sing them they may, sing them they 
will. Let the class-rooms resound with songs 
of heaven. Let the members sing, as I heard 
a class-member sing while dying, 

" We're going home, to die no more." 

Let the weeping ones be thrilled into ecstasy 
in hearing their class-mates sing, 

" My suft 'ring time shall soon be o'er ; 
Then shall I sigh and weep no more ; 
My ransom'd soul shall soar away, 
To sing Thy praise in endless day." 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 159 



CHAPTER XI. 

HINDERANCES TO CLASS-MEETINGS. 

fHERE are various hinderances to the suc- 
cess of class-meetings. Among the chief 
of these is the aversion to them of some Church 
members, and the indifference and neglect of 
many others. 

The example of. such members often is a 
heavy burden to a faithful and zealous Leader. 
Without sufficient relish for spiritual commun- 
ion to move them to seek the society of the 
class-room, their influence causes these meet- 
ings for devout and earnest Christian fellow- 
ship to be lightly esteemed by others. In a 
Church where such things exist, a Leader's 
work must be very difficult. 

Quite often such persons speak against the 
class-meeting. They deride its services by de- 
scribing them as monotonous and profitless, 
and by descanting upon the hackneyed stories 



160 The Class Leader. 

related by the members. In relation to this 
the Rev. Dr. Levings has well said : — 

" We have the united testimony of thousands 
to the great value of class-meetings as a means 
of grace ; and it should not be forgotten that 
the most pious and devoted of our people 
throughout the Connection not only love class- 
meetings, but are constant attendants at them. 
And these growing Christians do not tell the 
same old stereotyped story over and over from 
week to week ; but being in the way of culti- 
vating their minds and hearts by a regular 
course of reading, meditation, and prayer, they 
always have something new to say at every 
meeting. There is a freshness and interest in 
their testimony which show that they are grow- 
ing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ." 

The evil of this aversion to, and neglect of, 
class-meeting by our members is strongly por- 
trayed by the same writer, who says: "An 
inward feeling of dislike to the exercises of the 
class-room is evidence of a low state of relig- 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 161 

ious experience, if it does not indicate the ab- 
sence of all feeling in favor of the subject 
One of the particular covenant engagements 
into which we entered when we joined the 
Church was, that we would be governed by the 
Discipline in this matter, and yet how general 
is this neglect ! We speak not of unavoidable 
detention from class, but of that neglect which 
is the result of indifference to the means of 
grace. Vast numbers of members in our 
Churches do not enter a class-room from month 
to month ; and why ? Because they have no 
relish for the exercises of the place. This was 
not the case once, if they were ever truly con- 
verted. Then they were glad when it was said, 
Let us go up to the house of the Lord.' 

" But some tell us that they derive little or 
no benefit from class-meetings, and therefore 
dislike them. And whose fault is it ? Dare 
such persons charge it upon the institution 
itself, amid the ten thousand testimonies to the 
contrary ? Was it always so with them ? " 

Jn respect to the error and inconsistency of 



162 The Class Leader 

sueh members Dr. Levings again employs very 
earnest language. He says : " Persons who 
habitually and willingly neglect to meet in 
class shpw thereby a reckless disregard of their 
solemn covenant engagements with the Church 
of Christ. My heart has been pained to wit- 
ness the strange inconsistency of many mem- 
bers in regard to this Christian duty — I should 
say, privilege. Visit them at their houses and 
converse with them respecting their delinquen- 
cy, and numbers of them will tell you that they 
would like to attend, but their health is not 
sufficient ; or that their circumstances are such 
as to render it impossible for them to attend 
their class ; while at the same time numbers 
of these same persons may be seen shopping 
among the stores, or visiting their neighbors 
and chatting by the hour. Now, what shall we 
say of such conduct ? Not of the shopping or 
visiting, both of which may be well enough in 
their places ; but of the excuses offered for tne 
neglect of a religious duty for want of health, 
while many of the same persons find no diffi- 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 163 

culty whatever in doing any thing or going 
anywhere they choose ? Do such persons ex- 
pect to give an account of their conduct at the 
bar of God ? How will they do it : With joy or 
grief?"* 

Indifference tc the class-meeting on the part 
of our members is rebuked by the fact that 
thoughtful and pious members of other denom- 
inations have discerned the value of this in- 
stitution, and have even sought to secure its 
introduction into their own Churches. Many 
years ago the " Christian Secretary," a Baptist 
paper published in Hartford, contained an edi- 
torial article in which were the following words : 
" From an experience of more than thirty years' 
duration with the mode of conducting Method- 
ist class-meetings, and their beneficial results, 
we venture to recommend them strongly to all 
Baptist Churches, to be put in practice. Espe- 
cially are they necessary in large Churches. Of 
their utility much more might be said than the 

* Rev. N. Levings, D.D., in/ 1 Christian Advocate," March 
18, 1846. 



164 The Class Leader. 

space allotted for one article will admit. No 
Christian of ordinary observation can be igno- 
rant of the benefit and pious pleasure afforded 
by frequent and familiar converse on the state 
of his mind with a pious, experienced, gifted 
brother, to whom he may from week- to week 
disclose his joys or his trials, and receive a 
word of advice, or encouragement, or admoni- 
tion, as the case may be. 

" The traveler to Mount Zion is also greatly 
benefited and cheered on his way by hearing 
other pilgrims declare the loving-kindness of the 
Lord to their souls, and how he has appeared 
for their deliverance in times of temptation or 
affliction. 

" Of the blessings to be derived from social 
prayer and praise in small circles too much 
can hardly be said, especially when these exer- 
cises are rendered strikingly appropriate by the 
particulars disclosed in answer to the faithful 
and affectionate inquiries of a skillful Class 
Leader. The preparatory or covenant meet- 
ings of our Churches are the only substitutes 



Hinderaiices to Class-meetings, 165 

we have for class-meetings. Where a Church 
is small, and all converse, if suitable time be 
allowed, all can hear each, and each may hear 
all the others speak of the dealings of God 
with them. But in larger Churches this even 
is impossible ; nor is it within the province of 
pastoral visits to make good the loss." 

Bishop Waugh, in an address at the New 
Jersey Conference in 1845, forcibly adverted 
" to the duty of our ministers to watch over the 
classes as a primary concern, and one on which 
depended chiefly the success of our system. 
He told of a pious member of another denomi- 
nation who, after having enjoyed an opportu- 
nity to meet in a class at the house of the 
late and lamented Dr. Sewall,* of Washington, 
said to the doctor that he had now discovered 
the secret of the success of Methodism. The 
strength and efficiency of our system, he was 
confident, lay in our class-meetings." f 

* Dr. Sewall was an eminent physician, and father of the 
late Rev. Dr. Sewall, of the Baltimore Conference. 

f Editorial letter of Dr. Bond, in " Christian Advocate," 
May 7, 1S45. 



1 66 The Class Leader. 

In a communication to the author an earnest 
advocate of class-meetings says : " During the 
last forty years I have never known a living, 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church but loved the class-meeting. When 
good Did Dr. Bond was editor of the Christian 
Advocate, writing on class-meetings, he said he 
never knew a member to backslide who was 
punctual in attending class and prayer-meet- 
ing ; on the contrary, he never knew one to 
grow in grace who willfully and frequently neg- 
lected them."* 

A writer in " Zion's Herald," over a generation 
ago, observes : " To this means of grace is the 
Methodist Church indebted for its prosperity 
more than to any other, if we except the public 
ministration of the word. Mr. Wesley said the 
formation of classes was a scheme for which he 
never could sufficiently praise God ; and after 
testing their value for many years, he declared 
their usefulness to be more and more apparent 
How careful, then, ought we to be to cherish 

* P. Crane, Geneva, N. Y. 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 167 

chem, and to avoid every thing subservient in 
the most remote degree to bring them into 
disrepute. The non-attendance of members, 
except in cases of urgent necessity, is directly 
calculated to do this." 

Bishops Coke and Asbury, in their Notes on 
the Discipline, say : " We confine these meet- 
ings to Christian experience, only adjoining 
singing and prayer in the introduction and con- 
clusion. And we praise the Lord they have 
been made a blessing to scores of thousands. . . . 
In short, we can truly say that, through the 
grace of God, our classes form the pillars of our 
work." 

One who has long been familiar with this 
subject writes : " To class-meetings, in a great 
measure, early Methodism owed its aggressive- 
ness and spirituality. Through the direct in- 
strumentality of class-meetings myriads of souls 
have been nursed, kept in the way of life, and 
at last presented before the throne of God 
with exceeding great joy." * 

* I. N. Kanaga. Letter. 



f68 The Class Leader. 

A minister says : " Lack of interest in the 
class -meetings is a heavy weight upon the 
Church, and one that must be laid aside before 
she can achieve her full measure of success." * 

A veteran Leader writes : " I have often 
thought if our people would attend more punc- 
tually to their classes there would not be so 
many formal professors and backsliders in the 
world. It is there we often have our hearts 
cheered when we go bowed down. I have 
often heard a good old father or mother in 
Israel arise and tell what the Lord had done for 
their souls, and how he had kept them for 
twenty, thirty, and forty years ; it would encour- 
age my heart ; I would think, if he has kept 
them he is able to keep me ; and, bless his name ! 
he has kept me for more than forty years." f 

Still another, writing on this point, says : 

In class-meetings Christians " can cast upon 
the Saviour all their care, and realize the 

* Rev. C. M. Morse, Jun., Kentucky Conference. Letter 
to the author. 

•J- Thomas R. Batten, Seneca, Illinois. Letter to author- 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 169 

blessed truth that he careth for them. Here 
the burdened spirit is relieved of its load ; 
here the disconsolate receive comfort; here the 
weak are made strong, the bowed-down are 
raised up, the spiritually blind have their eyes 
opened ; here Methodists are built up in their 
most holy faith. 

" Who shall gainsay the virtue of class-meet- 
ings ? There are but few who would have the 
temerity to declare themselves the open ene- 
mies of this heaven-born privilege ; but, alas ! 
this institution is beset by numerous secret 
foes, who, using that powerful weapon, example, 
are waging a most disastrous war against the 
best interests of Methodism. 

" How many scores and hundreds are there 
whc belong to the Methodist Church, and who 
professedly love all her institutions, and are 
even bold in defense of them, but when person- 
ally called to comply with the requirement of 
th= class-meeting are found careless and indif- 
ferent. They acknowledge it to be a means of 
grace, but seldom or never think it necessary 



ijo The Class Leader. 

to partake of its privileges. They would not 
give their public consent to abolish it, but by 
their cheerful negligence yield their secret in- 
fluence to effect this end." * 

How shall a Leader overcome this indisposi- 
tion to attend class-meeting, and secure the 
attendance of indifferent members ? This 
done, a great victory is secured. 

One who was successful in doing this says : — 
" Let me give you some of my experience on 
this point. Take the last class I had. At the 
first meeting I read that part of the Discipline 
which relates to the duty of the Leader, and 
told them that the Discipline made it my duty 
to see each member every week, and that by 
taking the office of Leader I agreed to perform 
the duties of one as laid down by the Discipline 
of the Church ; and that every week, if they 
were not at class, I should call on them. I did 
so ; had eighteen members ; and on looking 
over my class-book I found that for twelve 
months the absent marks amounted to seventy- 

* Writer in " Christian Advocate," Nov. 26, 1845. 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 171 

five, being an average attendance of sixteen and 
a half. 

" I feel sure this attendance can always be 
had ; but to get it the absentees must invari- 
ably be visited. Let the members know that 
if they are not at class they will be called on 
at their residence, talked to, prayed with, and 
asked for the reason of their absence. Let 
them know this, and very many times they will 
come when otherwise they would stay away. . . . 
If a Leader has eighteen members, and does 
not visit them, he may have an attendance of 
say eleven, and will say, ' I cannot visit seven a 
week.' Only let them know you will do it, and 
five of the seven will come. They may at first 
stay away on trifling excuses ; but when they 
find you are faithful, that you never fail, they 
will come. Your practice will force upon them 
the conviction that you care more for their 
souls' welfare than they themselves do. One 
member was only absent twice in the year, who 
the year previous did not go half the time. 
She said she ' could not have her Leader call 



if 2 The Class Leader. 

on her, she must go to class.' None but the 
faithful Leader knows the closeness of the 
bonds that grow around the Leader and his 
members in pursuing this course. O how 
many souls, now lost, would have been saved if, 
on the first neglect, the first spell of lukewarm- 
ness, the Leader had visited and performed his 
duty in the fear of God. How many, now dead 
weights on the Church, would be warmed to 
life, and become useful members, if their Lead- 
ers would thus visit them." * 

A Leader, who was very successful in reviv- 
ing a class which had suffered from this evil, 
tells how he did it : — 

"When the class-book was placed in my 
hands I found that the class had dwindled 
down to a few old members, and they, seem- 
ingly, had lost all individual interest. I began 
to pray and wonder over this apathy. I made 
up my mind that it was necessary to devise 
some way to interest as well as draw the class 

* A Brooklyn Class Leader in " Christian Advocate," Oc- 
tober 15, 1845. 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 173 

out. The Leader before me had strictly ad- 
hered to that old and time-honored custom of 
ours, to wit, to commence with the corner nan 
and ask each one in turn to 'tell us how you 
feel this morning.' I, for sake of a change, 
would frequently have a general talk meeting — 
call on no one in particular, but every one in 
general — would frequently sing a verse and call 
on some one to pray — would have some more 
talk, and pray again. I studied to vary the ex- 
ercises, and to not be abrupt, but make the 
change at the right time and place. 

" I went personally to each one of our young 
members at the beginning of the year and re- 
quested that they would all be present at a 
certain time, as I had something I wished to 
communicate. At the appointed time they 
were all present. I then told them my plan, to 
wit : that I intended to keep a correct book of 
their presence and their absence, and at the 
close of the year I expected to make up a yearly 
summary of their attendance, and read it at 
watch-night meeting. I made some comments 

12 



174 The Class Leader 

on the possible results, wondering how many 
times during the year each one would testify 
for Jesus, etc. . . . We have regular attendance 
by both old and young." * 

Bishop Janes, in discussing this subject in 
his " Address to Class Leaders," expresses 
strong confidence in the success of earnest and 
skillful efforts to overcome the aversion of mem- 
bers to attendance at class. He says : " Though 
I have been pastor several years, and of very 
large Churches sometimes, I never found an 
instance in all my pastorate where I could not 
induce members to attend class — not one. It 
required some patience, some perseverance, 
and it required some management." The 
Bishop further says : " I believe that any per- 
son who has even 'a desire to flee from the 
wrath to come' can be induced to attend this 
means of grace ; and I doubt whether I would 
consent, if I were a preacher or Leader to 
report them as delinquents unless I had made 
the most persistent and earnest efforts to save 

* H. T. Martin, Ontario, Iowa. Letter to the author. 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 175 

them. If they did not come to the class-meet- 
ing I would go to their houses. I would take 
two or three sisters and brethren with me and 
go to their houses and say, ' I have come to 
hold class-meeting with you,' and commence it 
n the parlor, and have it there. There are 
various ways, means, influences, and agencies 
by which this result can be reached ; and I now 
say before God that in my judgment the great 
delinquency in this respect in the Church is 
mainly owing to the deficiencies of the pastors 
and Leaders. I have a better opinion of the 
members of the Church. I believe that all per- 
sons who are under gracious influences can be 
led to both love and attend class-meetings." 

Leaders sometimes do harm to the class- 
meeting by the exhibition of an unsuitable 
spirit and manner. Gentleness and affectionate- 
ness ought always to characterize the Leader 
while leading the class. A rough, boisterous 
manner is wholly unsuited to the place and 
the work. Earnest he should be, but never 
stern ; faithful, but not severe ; honest and 



tj6 The Class Leader. 

plain in reproving and admonishing, but kind 
and tender. His manner throughout should 
be such as will win and not repel. He ought 
to study to make his class-room one of the 
most delightful places his members can find 
this side of heaven ; and while he ought never 
to sacrifice, in the slightest degree, truth or 
righteousness to do this, there should never be 
any thing in himself to detract from the enjoy- 
ableness of the meeting, but much to promote 
it. While he ought not to wink at wrong or 
suffer it to pass unrebuked, his speech and 
action should be so ruled by love as that the 
most sensitive may not be unnecessarily hurt 
or offended. 

" I recollect," says Bishop Janes, " some years 
ago I was present when a Leader was very 
zealously leading his class. He came to a timid 
young female, and asked her, as he did others, to 
state her religious experience. She had not 
the courage or the strength to rise and speak 
as others had done. He addressed her at once 
sternly in this language : ' The Lord will have 



Hinderaiices to Class -meetings. IJJ 

no dumb dogs that cannot bark.' I felt there 
was more dog in him that did bark, than in that 
poor, timid child of Christ in her seat. If that 
Leader had been gentle and affectionate, and 
asked her kindly some question about her 
spiritual state, and allowed her to answer him 
in a monosyllable, and shown interest in her 
welfare and concern for her religious growth, 
he would have won her confidence. She would 
have been there next time, and in a little while 
she would have had strength and fidelity to 
bear her cross and take her part in the service 
as did the other members." * Such a spirit and 
manner as this fact illustrates must always 
prove detrimental to a Leader's success. 

" A Leader," says Rev. T. Spicer, " should 
become sufficiently acquainted with human na- 
ture to know how to reprove without giving 
offense. If he do not show a kind spirit when 
he administers reproof, if his reproofs are rather 
reproaches, he will not succeed in doing much 
good. Much depends on the manner ot re- 

* " Address to Class Leaders." 



l?8 The Class Leader. 

proofs to render them effectual. In general 
they should be given privately ; few persons are 
willing to be reproved publicly, or in the pres- 
ence of their friends, especially to be reproved 
sharply. Although the rule makes it the duty 
of the Leader to reprove when necessary, as 
well as to comfort or exhort, yet it may be ques- 
tioned whether it designs he should do this in 
a public way, or even in the presence of the 
class. He must be very much unacquainted 
with human nature who generally takes this 
course. There are certainly but very few cases 
which require it." 

For a Leader to speak so loud as to transgress 
propriety, and cause the voice to grate upon the 
nerves of the members, is a hinderance to a 
class. Bishop Janes well says : " The class- 
room is not a very suitable place for rhetoric or 
elocution, yet the manner of speaking there is 
highly important. . . . The Class Leader, in a 
small room, speaking to twelve, twenty, or even 
forty persons, need not raise his voice like a 
general giving orders to soldiers in battle ; this 



Hinderances to Class-meetings, 179 

would be so incongruous as to destroy the ef- 
fect of his speaking." 

The Leader's voice while conducting class- 
meeting should be distinct and pleasant, not 
loud and strained. A gently modulated voice 
is always more musical than when pitched to a 
very high key. Persons appreciate this in the 
social circle. It affords, too, far more opportu- 
nity for giving suitable emphasis to words and 
sentences that need to be made emphatic. 

The Leader should adapt his voice to the 
space " it has to fill. To some it is peculiarly 
painful to sit in a small room and have a volume 
of voice pouring upon them, so that its rever- 
berations are almost deafening ; and in antici- 
pating a confinement so irksome they begin to 
count the remaining members to be spoken to, 
in order to make an estimate of the quantity 
of patience they must expend in passing through 
this present trial." * 

In so far as an undue expenditure of voice 
and physical energy is likely to prove a hinder- 

* Correspondent " Christian Advocate," August 3, 1842. 



180 The Class Leader. 

ance to the Leader's success it should be 
studiously refrained from, 

Another hinderance is unreasonable length. 
These meetings should be short ; with ordinary 
sized classes, not more than an hour long, and, 
in the case of very large classes, not to exceed 
an hour and a half. Mr. Taylor, of Trinity 
Church, Jersey City, has usually about fifty 
persons at his class, and he never protracts his 
meetings beyond ninety minutes. Mr. Samuel 
Sterling, of the same Church, has from thirty 
to forty in attendance, and he now confines 
his meetings to seventy-five minutes. Smaller 
classes can well be limited to one hour. 

A sensible writer says : — 

" I know not that I ever witnessed a profit- 
able lengthy class-meeting, but I have wit- 
nessed, to my sorrow, for my own sake and for 
that of the class, protracted meetings grow 
dull and tedious, and apparently every spark 
of life in the soul expire, whereas the meet- 
ing commenced well, and had it closed at a 
proper time, the members would have gone 



Hinderances to Class-meeti?igs. 181 

from the place with the holy fire burning in 
their souls, and longing for the class hour to 
return again." * 

The Rev. James B. Finley once visited an 
intelligent lady on account of her neglect of the 
class-meeting, when she gave him her reason 
for her absence, which he published in the 
" Western Christian Advocate," as follows : — 

" My pastor I love, my class-room I love. 
The class hour is a source of great comfort to 
my soul, and I would seldom if ever miss it ; 
but my good Leader keeps me from two to 
three hours every time I go. You see my 
charge. There are four little children, one 
quite young, and I have no one to leave with 
them except my husband occasionally. I could 
leave them for an hour, but it is impossible for 
me as a mother to leave them much longer, 
and do my duty. So you see I am deprived of 
this blessed privilege by my Leader, who now 
complains to you of my neglect, when I am 
driven by his tediousness to this neglect." 

* Correspondent " Christian Advocate," April 12, 1839. 



*82 The Class Leader. 

I:: regard to the length of class meetings the 
late Rev. Tobias Spicer pertinently says : — 

I think i : hiss-meeting should not gener- 
ally occupy over an hour; this is a sufficient 
time to answer all the purposes of a class-meet- 
ing unless there should be an unusual number 
of persons present. Sometimes when but few 
are present, half an hour is all-sufficient. It 
often happens that class-meetings immediately 
rreteie or immediately ::llow the public s 
ice, and when this is the case, if they "re ex- 
tended to any great length, the" aften become 
fatiguing, and detain persons, especially women 
who have families to care for, longer than is 
convenient 

••I have known Leaders, aftei the public 
service was concluded, call the members to class- 
meeting, and after giving : at a long hymn, and 
singing it, would pray at a considerable length, 
and then deliver an exhortation occupying ten 
or fifteen minutes, giving their views, perhaps, of 
the sermon they had just heard, and then c:rr> 
mence speaking to the members. Each mem- 



Hinderanca to Class-meetings. 183 

ber is expected to make a speech of some 
"ear::. :r 1: .eas: se vera. ::' :ae ntar.irrr i: 
s:. a: Leader raaaes ^ realy :: ea:i 

occupying five or six minutes, and thus the 
class-raeeara is eaaer.ded :: ar. aaar :: aa 
a:_r aad 2. ~-.'~ 5:rae ~a: art f:ad ::' 

:r.a aaeaase'.ves speak ar.d aave a:: 
:: re: aire :aeir a::ea:::r. a: airae are t.. 
pleased :a: aaaay and :: very Laezaveaiea: :o 
it t r. j. 5 aerarr.e: a:.: ~a_ se. lira arreac a as 5 
iiader sa:a alr:arasiar.:es Aad vr'a; eaa ~:a- 



raae aad tat servire s'aaald ::raraeace eaarav 
at the time. Little things are :::ea potential 

ia :aeir iazaeaze aad paarraaary la ::raaaeac- 
iag a: :ae appelated aaar is a:: with: a: aealaa- 



51: a a as; 
tdnurh:; 
Lcr aad !- 



:-; 



1 84 The Class Leader. 

City, and those Leaders are always prompt in 
beginning at the time. 

In the early days of Methodism in New En- 
gland the Rev. Jesse Lee inculcated punctu- 
ality in Class Leaders. Enoch Mudge, after- 
ward a distinguished minister, was then Leader 
of a class in Lynn. He once went to his class- 
room, waited till the time, and no one came. 
Resolved on strictly adhering to the advice of 
Mr. Lee, he began the service with singing and 
prayer. Still no one appeared. He then spoke 
his experience, knelt again in prayer, arose, 
and went home. His members, it is said, were 
never again delinquent in that particular. 

That is the correct principle. Fix an appro- 
priate time for the class-meeting to begin, and 
then commence at the time fixed, whoever is 
absent. 

In a paper on Leading Class, the Rev. J. B. 
Finley says : — 

" Let me show the Leaders of classes the most 
effectual way in the world to kill their classes, 
and make the members stay away from them. 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 185 

"I. Do not go to your meeting until aftei 
the time: keep your class waiting for you fif- 
teen or twenty minutes. 

" 2. When you get there hunt up a long-me- 
ter hymn, with eight or ten verses, and sing it 
to the tune of Old Hundred. 

" 3. Then get down and pray half an hour. 

"4. If there is any person there, no matter 
whether he belongs to the Church or not, get 
him to meet your class, or go at it yourself, 
and let every member tell an experience of 
from ten to fifteen minutes long, and then you 
preach a short sermon to each one about as 
long, and so continue the class from two to 
three hours, and you will make almost every 
member you have hate the class. You will, 
on an average, have from three to six at class, 
and you will be complaining all along that 
your class does not meet. It is no wonder. 
I do not blame them. To go there to be 
droned at two or three hours is most dis- 
tressing. I have never known one of those 
drones as Leader that would not kill in six 



1 86 The Class Leader. 

months the best and most lively class in the 
world." 

Every Leader should carefully guard against 
giving offense to any of his members by slight- 
ing them, or by austerity in his bearing toward 
them. He should every-where show himself 
the friend and brother of all alike. None should 
be allowed any reason to think that he dis- 
criminates against them ; for to the extent that 
this is the case will his work be hindered. 
"His social habits should be agreeable, and 
he should feel a tender concern for the spirit- 
ual interests of all his members. If a Leader 
keeps at a distance from his members, and does 
not seem to know them when he meets them 
in the every-day concerns of life, or is unsocial 
with them in a manner calculated to make an 
impression on their minds that he feels himself 
somewhat above them ; or if in class-meeting 
he does not show a kind spirit and regard for 
them, he will not be eminently useful. He 
must not do his duty to his class as a profes- 
sional man, but as a kind brother, who deeply 



Hindera,7ices to Class-meetings. 187 

feels for the interests of his brethren, and is 
evidently laboring to promote their good in all 
possible ways. Such a course cannot fail to 
endear him to all the members of the class, and 
render him eminently useful and much beloved 
by the whole Church. 

" He should treat the poor of his class with 
as much respect as he does the rich. When a 
Leader is observed to pay more attention to the 
rich than he does to the poor it cannot fail to 
awaken jealousies among his poor brethren, 
and will greatly lessen his influence over them, 
and, of course, prevent his general usefulness. 
Many that are poor possess as refined feelings 
as the rich, and if they do not, they can, how- 
ever, see when a difference is made in matters 
of religion between them and the rich, and many 
of this class are greatly tempted when they see 
this difference, and are apt to think they are 
reproached, or at least slighted because of their 
poverty. A Class Leader would do well to give 
no occasion for such a temptation."* 

* Rev. T. Spicer in " Christian Advocate," July 23, 1845. 



1 88 The Class Leader. 

"The Class Leader," says an eminent au- 
thority, " should be a man of kind and social 
feeling. We have seen very good men, men 
of unquestionable piety, occupying this relation, 
whose natural austerity of disposition and man- 
ner greatly impeded their usefulness. They 
seemed to consider themselves rather the police 
officers of the Church than as shepherds, and 
when they discovered any delinquency in a 
member, they seemed to have no idea of any 
other duty than bringing the delinquent to 
trial — the very last thing to be thought of, and 
never to be resorted to until all possible means 
of reclaiming the delinquent have been tried. 
And these to be successful must be accompa- 
nied with unmistakable manifestations of loving- 
kindness and tender concern for the spiritual 
interests of the erring brother." * 

The Rev. Dr. Thomson, (Bishop Thomson,) 
while editor of the "Christian Advocate" wrote, 
that "feeling above the work is fatal to it — 
fatal to one's self. A love of this work, and 

* Rev. Dr. Bond, in " Christian Advocate," 1854. 



Hinderances to Class-meetings. 189 

feeling honored by it, give rich meaning to 
stammered words — Divine foice to the feeblest 
instruments. Loving work makes amends for 
almost any mental deficiencies, intensifies any 
mental endowments. A right spirit in the 
Leader catches like fire in the hearts of the 
members. Lacking this, the most perfect man- 
agement and the severest sense of duty can 
only make the class a place of forms as dead as 
the perfection of Jewish temple service at the 
time of the coming of Christ." 

A Leader's work will be hindered by toler- 
ating wrong tempers toward each other in his 
members. Divisions among professed Chris- 
tians greatly harm the Christian name. When 
such divisions arise between classmates the 
effect can only be evil upon the class and the 
Church. 

" The sheep he never can devour, 
Unless he first divide." 

Much self-poise and skill will often be re- 
quired to arrest such evils and bring into har- 
mony the discordant elements. It is the Lead- 
13 



190 The Class Leader. 

er's office and duty, however, at whatever pains, 
to do this to the extent that he is able. 

" Suffer no bickerings," says Rev. J. B. Finley, 
" or backbitings, or little quarrels in your class ; 
but as soon as you hear of any, go directly and 
have the parties face to face, and make them 
settle their difficulties ; for if you suffer it to 
run on it will grow worse and worse, until 
your whole flock is infected with the disease, 
and, perhaps, your whole class ruined." 

Other hinderances than these will arise, 
doubtless, to embarrass Leaders and hinder 
their work. Peculiarities of locality, of circum- 
stances, and of individuals, will often originate 
disturbing and depressing obstacles. It must 
be the study of the Leader to surmount them. 
He should be fertile in devices to meet and re- 
move such hinderances as, from time to time, 
he will encounter, and in spite of all difficulties 
strive to achieve success in his high calling. 



Hozv to Lead a Class. 191 



CHAPTER XII. 

HOW TO LEAD A CLASS. 

tHE interest and usefulness of class-meet- 
ings depend chiefly, so far as their human 
aspect is concerned, upon the character of the 
men who lead them, and the manner in which 
they do it. 

"We must have devoted, spiritual, wide- 
awake Leaders ; no half-hearted, worldly-mind- 
ed professors ; but well-experienced, talented 
men ; apt to teach, consistent in their own 
lives, full of faith, and ' fruitful unto every good 
work.' " * 

It is possible, as so many have seen with sad- 
ness, to make the class-meeting dull and in- 
sipid. It can, on the other hand, be so con- 
ducted as to render it an occasion of rich 
spiritual refreshing. The great, urgent need of 
the Church, with respect to this institution, is, 

* I. N. Kanaga. Letter to author. 



rQ2 The Class Leader. 

that it be made every-where attractive and 
edifying to its members. 

The Leader should always go to his class- 
room as well furnished as possible for the im- 
mediate demand that is to be made upon him. 
Too many Leaders go to the class with little 
or no preparation for the service. As a con- 
sequence their exercises are deficient in fresh- 
ness and life, the members are not interested, 
and but little good is done. Thought and 
study, as well as prayer, are essential to real 
and abiding success in this work. 

" I have found it very necessary," writes a 
Leader, " to make some preparation before- 
hand, and to avoid running on the same line all 
the while."* 

I have read of a Class Leader who, on the 
evening that his class met, was accustomed 
before going to the meeting to spend an hour 
alone ; " and more than once he has been seen 
by members of his family, when unperceived by 

* James H. V. Smith, Indianapolis, Indiana. Letter to 
author. 



now to Lead a Class. 193 

mm, on his knees in his chamber, with his 
class paper before him, pleading at the throne 
of grace on their behalf; and from papers 
found after his decease it was discovered that 
his practice was to keep a record of the spirit- 
ual state of each member of his class." It 
would be strange if such a Leader's exercises 
in his class-room were not instructive and 
edifying. 

A writer very sensibly and justly says :- 
" The Class Leader must have his members 
upon his mind, not only in their presence but 
much more in their absence. He will not then 
address them week after week with an unedify- 
ing sameness ; with pointless generalities, or in 
terms so superficial as to show himself uestitute 
of discrimination. Each address, though brief, 
will be to the point ; for the individual, a hit 
The garment will fit because it was made ex- 
pressly for the individual. His measure was 
taken before the cloth was cut. The dose is 
the right one, for the surgeon has taken pains 
to know the case, and to apply his remedies 



194 The Class Lkade*> 

accordingly. He does not come info the room 
with a profuse supply, in a large vessel, of one 
compound. He brings his medicines in sepa« 
rate phials and packets, and each consists of 
different ingredients, for he has studied each 
patient's case, and scarcely two are precisely 
alike. 

" A man of thoughtful habits, accustomed to 
weigh a matter before he pronounces an opin- 
ion or proffers counsel, more desirous to give a 
safe answer than a ready one, and to utter a 
weighty saying than a smart one, is a man 
from whom as a Leader, other things being 
equal, a class will derive most profit. 

" It is no easy matter, week by week the 
year through, for years in succession, to bring 
forth things both ' new and old ' that shall be 
profitable to the hearers assembled in the social 
quiet of the class-room. Patient, plodding, 
habitual, discriminating thought is necessary to 
attain this power as a Class Leader. Gems of 
truth, like gems of commerce, are not picked 
up in the street by careless stragglers except on 



How to Lead a Class. 195 

rare occasions. They lie in the mine, and must 
be dug out one at a time, and at some inter- 
vals, after patient, but not useless labor. For 
such labor is its own reward. 

" Such a Class Leader comes every week 
well furnished. His hive is never empty, for 
he is ever on the wing when any nectar lies 
distilled in the cup, whether on the extended 
wild of heath or in the cultivated garden. Such 
a Leader — his members bless him. His week- 
ly counsels are inestimable. Intelligent and 
earnest piety hastens to sit at the feet of such 
a guide. His lips drop wisdom. The return 
of the hour of edification is looked for with 
anticipation. The hour is a short one. The 
moments are golden. Their price is above 
rubies. The member goes home refreshed, 
instructed, counseled." 

In opening the service, let the Leader an- 
nounce and read an appropriate hymn, and con- 
fine the singing — which should be animated 
and set to a suitable tune — to three or four 
stanzas. The prayer, offered either by himself 



190 The Class Leader. 

or another on whose sense of propriety he can 
depend, should not be hurried nor immoderate- 
ly extended, but should be the outpouring of a 
prostrate soul in adoration, confession, self- 
abnegation, praise, supplication, and trust. It 
should be the prayer of faith that goeth not 
out of feigned lips. The Leader should in- 
tercede for the members of his class — for the 
absent as well as for those present ; for their 
families ; and should introduce in a becoming 
way any case of trouble, sickness, or tempta- 
tion, and any thing else in connection with 
his class that awakens his concern and his 
sympathy. If penitents or new converts are 
present their case should be suitably noticed. 
The prayer should not be general in its char- 
acter, but should be a class-meeting prayer — 
suited to the time and the company. 

" We think that the prayer of the Leader at 
the commencement should be confined to the 
persons and objects immediately before him. 
There are other occasions altogether more suit- 
able to pray for various other subjects, not hav- 



How to Lead a Class. 197 

ing immediate connection with the object of 
the meeting." * 

It is appropriate after prayer and another 
brief song for the Leader to read a short por- 
tion of Scripture, well selected, and to make a 
few terse and suggestive remarks illustrating 
and enforcing the words read, and opening the 
way for the speaking of the members. He 
should relate modestly and in few words his 
own experience, and not discuss matters that 
are not relevant to the meeting. 

" Instead of giving a long exhortation, as is 
sometimes the case, let the Leader briefly state 
the exercises of his mind, and what progress he 
has made in the way to heaven the week past. 
To take up ten or fifteen minutes in an exhorta- 
tion is, in ordinary cases, out of place, and is 
unprofitable." f 

Says another writer: "We meet to obtain 
fresh supplies of grace and encouragement on 
our way to our abiding home in the skies ; and 
while at class-meeting our minds should not be 

* Writer in " Zion's Herald." f Ibid. 



tgS The Class Leader 

occupied with abstruse thoughts, or consuming 
those precious moments in discussing points in 
Christian theology which belong exclusively to 
our leisure moments, in our studies, or in con- 
versing with a divine when time and circum- 
stances will justify the exercise. But let us not 
forsake the simplicity of class-meetings, — to 
talk of the love of God in the soul, of our 
hopes and prospects, our joys and our sorrows ; 
then we shall continue to witness joyful sea- 
sons while waiting on God in this means of 
grace." * 

In calling forth the experiences of the mem- 
bers some persons attach great importance to 
questions being put to them by the Leader. " To 
inquire how their souls prosper " is certainly, ac- 
cording to the Discipline, a Leader's duty. Mr, 
Charles Perronet stated the design of the class- 
meeting to include the following particulars : — 

" To know who continue members of Society. 

" To inspect their outward walking. 

* D. G. K., Dickinson College, in "Christian Advocate," 
April 12, 1839. 



How to Lead a Class. 199 

" To inquire into their inward state. 

" To learn what are their trials, and how they 
fall by or conquer them. 

"To instruct the ignorant in the first prin- 
ciples of religion : if need be to repeat, ex- 
plain, or enforce what has been said in public 
preaching. 

" To stir them up to believe, love, obey ; and 
to check the first spark of offense or discord." 

To which Mr. Wesley said : " I earnestly 
exhort all Leaders of classes to consider the 
preceding observations, and to put them in ex- 
ecution with all the understanding and courage 
that God has given them." * 

The line I have italicised in the above quo- 
tation shows that it was the intention of the 
founder of class-meetings that the Leader should 
make inquiry into the inward experience of 
his members. To do this, however, in a suit- 
able and effectual way, requires no little skill 
and forethought. Such questions, addressed to 
members in the presence of their brethren, 

* "Methodist Magazine," 1781. 



200 The Class Leader. 

ought never to be flippant or pointless. They 
should never seem to be prompted by curiosity, 
but by a desire to help the person addressed. 
They should be asked with the utmost kindness 
of both spirit and manner. In no part of his 
work will a Leader's last reserve of good sense 
be more called into exercise than in this. 

It is said that a half century ago it was the 
custom in leading class " to put such questions 
as these to every member : ' Do you pray in 
secret ? How often ? Do you read our Dis- 
cipline ? Do you understand our rules ? Do 
you love them? Do you observe fasting?"' 
Says a writer : — 

" Instead of the unmeaning question, ' How 
do you enjoy your mind ?' let it be ' How does 
your soul prosper ? ' or ' Are you growing in 
grace ? ' or ' Do you feel the love of God in your 
neart?' A man may enjoy his mind pretty 
well and yet not be growing in grace ; and, on 
the other hand, there are cases where Christians 
are fast growing in grace, and yet they have 
sorrow upon sorrow." 



How to Lead a Class. 201 

Joseph Green wrote in the "Christian Ad* 
vocate," May 24, 1839, tnat " at a ^ ate class- 
meeting, held on Circuit, New York Con- 
ference, I was much pleased and profited by the 
course pursued by our preacher in charge. The 
course was as follows : After previous notice 
had been given to the class that a close exami- 
nation would be made on a day appointed, the 
Society being convened, questions, plain and 
pointed, were asked, such as these : ' Do you 
pray in secret?' 'How often?' etc. ' 'Have 
you family prayer ? ' ' How often ? ' ' Do you 
uniformly read a portion of Holy Writ when 
you attend family worship ? ' I must acknowl- 
edge that I was much surprised to find many 
there that day who neglected these duties. . . . 

" One brother said to me, in a conversation I 
had with him after the examination alluded to, 
'Brother Green, I will henceforth pray in my 
family. My heart trembled that I could not 
stand an examination before my brethren ; and 
if not there how shall I stand before God.' " 

The judicious writer first-quoted on this point 



202 The Class Leader. 

says in the " Christian Advocate," June 2, 1837, 
in regard to questions : " In the hands ot a 
skillful interrogator, one who would not suffer 
reproof by them himself, they would impart new 
interest to one of the most useful religious ex- 
ercises. To commend the duties to which they 
refer in general terms is insufficient. An af- 
fectionate inquiry into the individual's personal 
habits, made to illustrate the present state ot 
the heart and of religious progression, would be 
of more service than a whole homily of precepts. 
The common and almost unvaried set of ques- 
tions relating to 'enjoyment' tends to a tedious 
monotony. If enjoyment is wanting, nothing 
is so necessary as interrogations of sufficient 
point to probe the heart and extract the lurk- 
ing poison. If enjoyment abounds, it ought to 
be known whether there is sufficient principle 
and religious action to form it a basis and a 
safeguard." 

An earnest writer, from Virginia, in the 
"Christian Advocate," Dec. 23, 1840, speaks 
on this subject thus:-- 



How to Lead a Class. 203 

" According to the Discipline, it is his duty 
' to inquire ' — for the purpose of ascertaining — 
' how their souls prosper.' How much is this 
neglected ! How often is this important ques- 
tion, when asked, evaded on the part of the 
members, by thanking God that 'it is as well 
with them as it is,' etc. — and so might every 
sinner who is yet a stranger to the torments of 
the damned- — and, after all, no one present can 
tell any thing about their religious experience 
at all, or what their prospects are for another 
and a better world ; and, consequently, the 
Leader is not prepared to give them the most 
suitable advice. 

" But in order to an efficient discharge of 
duty, and the greatest possible degree of use- 
fulness, he must press the subject, probe deep, 
and find out what is in the heart. The Leader 
is to the souls of his members, in some soi% 
what the physician is to the bodies of his pa- 
tients. If he cannot give a definite character to 
the case, he can only make an effort at a venture. 
He may happily meet the case, and accomplish 



204 The Class Leader. 

the good desired, or he may miss the mark, and 
accomplish nothing but a solemn failure. And 
if the failure be the result of negligence, let 
him remember it is said, ' Woe to him that 
doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,' or 
carelessly." 

In a very sensible and suggestive essay on 
class-meetings by Mr. J. H. Richards, read be- 
fore the Newark (N. J.) District Conference in 
February, 1874, is the following pertinent pas- 
sage : — 

" Probably one of the most marked departures 
from the old and beneficial features of class- 
meetings, is the lack of directness and point 
which formerly so generally prevailed. Class 
Leaders once knew the habits conducive to holy 
living in each of their members, not by infer- 
ence, but by direct questionings, and we imag- 
ine if any were disposed to tell the same stereo- 
typed story from week to week they were start- 
led by the inquiry, 'Do you habitually pray _n 
secret ? or are family prayers observed in your 
household ? ' 



L.'ow to Lead a Class* 205 

"The work of salvation among our people 
would doubtless be furthered by learning from 
each if they have private and family prayer, or 
more exactly, ' Do you use private prayer every 
morning and evening ? Do you forecast daily, 
wherever you are, to secure time for private 
devotion ? Are you searching the Scriptures 
by reading habitually with meditation ? Do 
you attend the ordinance of the Lord's Supper ? 
Are your children baptized ? What particular 
rules have you in order to grow in grace ? What 
arts in holy living ? Are you temperate in all 
things?" 

In his replies to the experiences of his mem- 
bers the Leader should study to be apt and 
discreet. He ought not to consume much time 
in speaking to any member in the class-room. 
If there be any thing in the case of any one 
that requires a very extended reply, the per- 
son should be seen and conversed with pri- 
vately. 

" I always," says Mr. Farnell, " made a point 

of concluding at the end of the hour, and of 
14 



2o6 The Class Leader. 

being short and pointed in speaking to the 
members."* 

Mr. WolfFe says of his class : " The old plan 
has long been avoided. I mean when the 
Leader preached a little sermon to each mem- 
ber, walking up and down all the while, and 
wearing out the most patient by repeating some 
things more than a dozen times." f 

" If the members made a clear deliverance," 
says Dr. Brunson, " which indicated prosperity, 
I never took the time of the meeting for mere 
complimentary remarks, but passed on, and 
made such general remarks at the end as would 
apply to all present." :£ 

In regard to the exercises of both Leader 
and members a writer judiciously observes : 
" I know not how far your taste and notions 
may vary from mine in managing a class, but 
I will tell you what / like. In the first place, 
let all the members be present ; and as to 
the hour, as punctual as possible. Then, 
with fervent and holy aspirations, let every 

* Letter. f Letter. | Letter. 



How to Lead a Class. 207 

member unite with the Leader in a feeling, 
short, and appropriate prayer. Let each be 
modest as to the time occupied in detailing 
experience, yet never so brief, or spoken in so 
low and timid a manner, that none can be edi- 
fied. I like to see the Leader exercise a can- 
did yet affectionate manner, and throw as many 
kind, encouraging words into as small a com- 
pass as possible to those who need this mode 
of treatment. To those who have much to say, 
especially if it be with a little self-complacency, 
I like to hear a mild rebuke by a short and 
plain reply." * 

The Rev. J. B. Finley says to Class Leaders : 
" Lead your class, and do not suffer them to lead 
you. Do not fear to come home, in your over- 
sight, to the heart and conscience of your charge. 
Tell them plainly of their neglect of duty. 

" Know of every member of your class wheth- 
er they pray daily in secret ; and whether fam- 
ily prayer is constantly kept up in all families. 
Let none escape. Make no exempt case, lest 

* "Frances," in " Christian Advocate," August 3, 1842. 



208 The Class Leader. 

their blood be found on your skirts. Reprove 
all who neglect to commune at the Lord's table 
and attend to the ordinance of baptism, and 
if they will not reform after proper dealings 
with them, then hand them over to the preacher 
in charge to be dealt with according to rule." 

The Leader should confine the meeting to 
the object for which it is held. The class- 
meeting is not a prayer-meeting ; it is not a 
love-feast ; it is not a meeting for social and 
literary improvement. It is a meeting which 
the Church requires shall be held once a week 
for the purpose of promoting the experience 
and practice of godliness by means of the rela- 
tion of the religious state of the members, and 
the application of the truth to their case by a 
Leader in the form of advice, admonition, in- 
struction, warning, or encouragement, as their 
condition may require. 

If more prayer-meetings are desired or need- 
ed than are already provided, in any particular 
Church, let them be appointed and held ; but 
the class should not be turned into a prayer- 



How to Lead a Class. 209 

meeting, unless it be at special times and for 
special reasons, such as praying for a revival or 
seeking the conversion of penitents This dis- 
tinctive means of grace cannot be surrendered 
by a Leader for any other without violating a 
sacred trust. He should not, therefore, change 
it from a class to any other service, nor should 
he as a rule make it a meeting for the delivery 
of formal religious addresses, or reading of 
essays ; but should conduct it as a class-meet- 
ing, as he is appointed to do. 
x "A minister met a class at the quarterly 
visitation. It was very large, and had in it a 
majority of young men. It was found that one 
secret of the popularity of the class and its 
Leader was in the fact that the meeting was 
allowed to afford opportunity for exercise in 
religious oratory or eloquence. The minister 
found himself called to listen to a succession of 
trial sermons, until stern duty obliged him ^o 
enforce a check. One member, after a quarter 
of an hour's full flow, closed by remarking that 
so many things pressed on his mind that he 



2ia The Class Leader. 

was at a loss to know how to choose a point 
The minister handed his ticket to him, quietly 
saying that he found himself in the same diffi- 
culty among the many things to which he had 
so long listened. Nor would the history of 
class meetings be barren of evidence that it is 
possible to make them dry, catechetical, liter- 
ary reading clubs, rather than means of spiritual 
interchange of sympathy, and mutual encour- 
agement to heart meditation and prayer." * 

When the class becomes an occasion for 
speech-making, its distinctive object is in a 
good degree sacrificed, and evil is done by de- 
terring from attendance those who think they 
cannot attain to the class-room standard of 
oratory. " Being young, and bashful in the 
presence of mature Christians, they cannot ex- 
press themselves, and soon lose all desire for 
the class-room." f A most intelligent Chris- 
tian gentleman once related how in early life he 

* " Class-meetings in Relation to the Design and Success of 
Methodism. By Rev. S. W. Christopher. " London, 1873. 
f R. Mapel, Keokuk, Iowa. Letter to author. 



How to Lead a Class, 2 1 1 

was unfortunately connected with a class which 
was conducted on the speech-making plan, and 
though very sincere in the pursuit of spiritual 
blessing, he at times felt himself unequal to 
what he believed to be the demand upon him, 
when his excuse to himself for absence — and he 
once offered it to his Leader — was that he had 
not " got up any thing " for the class. 

A pastor in Illinois organized sixty young 
people into a class, which he conducts person- 
ally very much on the principle of a prayer and 
literary association. At the opening of the 
meeting eight or ten of the members make 
short prayers. " One reads a five minutes es- 
say on a religious or moral topic, such as 
Prayer, Faith, Conversion, etc. ; and one other 
reads a five minutes account of his or her con- 
version, thus combining mental and religious 
culture, It adds great interest to the class. 
Average attendance forty." * 

This meeting is, no doubt, very attractive and 

* Rev. J. H. Ailing, Rock River Conference. Letter to 
author. 



212 The Class Leader. 

useful, in both a religious and liteiary sense, 
and such attention to the mental and spiritual 
nurture of young Christians by a pastor is very 
praiseworthy ; but it could not properly be 
called a class-meeting. Eight or ten prayers, 
even though brief, and two short essays, if there 
be singing, would seem to be nearly enough for 
one evening. How, then, with forty in attend- 
ance, could time be found to lead the class ? 
It seems impossible. 

Meetings of young Christians, and even of 
older ones, conducted with a view to the im- 
provement of mental and spiritual gifts in con- 
nection with prayers, essays, and addresses, are 
valuable as well as entertaining, and might be 
profitably introduced in many Churches where 
they do not exist ; but they should not be 
made substitutes for the class-meeting. That 
is an institution of the Church which none 
may subvert for any cause. Leaders may here 
profitably heed the injunction of the Discipline, 
to " not mend our rules but keep them for con- 
science' sake." 



How to Lead a Class. 213 

It is right and needful often to vary the exer- 
cises of, the class-meeting in order to avert 
apathy and dullness, and there are occasions 
when the time may profitably be devoted to 
prayer ; but the essential purpose of the insti- 
tution should be constantly in the Leader's 
mind, and to that purpose he should seek to 
make every meeting contribute. 

It may be profitable to unite in prayer with 
the class for any member who asks prayers for 
deliverance from temptation or trouble, or for 
strength to endure any unusual test to which 
his or her faith, patience, or courage is sub- 
jected. Dr. Brunson says that, in leading class, 
" if I found one in deep distress, struggling for 
pardon, or deliverance from deep, powerful 
temptation, I would fall on my knees and pray 
for that one." * This course was commended 
by Bishop Thomson when he was editor of the 
" Christian Advocate," and may often be found 
useful. It is both appropriate and scriptural to 
" pray for one another ;" and it would seem not 

* Letter. 



214 The Class Leader. 

unsuitable to do so in the class-room when 
there are cases which seem to require it. 

Good singing is an important element of a 
class-meeting. It intensifies the interest, dis- 
pels dullness, and enkindles devotion. Melody 
flings a pleasing and inspiring spell over the 
heart. 

Music is adapted to the sensibilities and 
passions of mankind, and moves and sways 
them as readily as the clouds drop rain. In all 
lands, and from early time, it has swept the 
chords of human souls, and held the multi- 
tudes by its magic charm. The strains of 
Homer and Virgil were so enchanting that 
they have floated through the centuries to our 
ears. The witchery of song is as great now 
as ever, and will continue until men's hearts 
no longer throb amid the tears, anxieties, and 
hopes of life. 

During the battle of Waterloo, Wellington 
discovered at a critical moment that the Forty- 
second Highlanders were wavering. On learn- 
ing that the band had ceased playing he gave 



How to Lead a Class. 215 

immediate command for it to resume ; and as 
the martial strains again rolled forth the dis- 
pirited men rushed anew to the charge, and 
bore their tattered banner forward in a valorous 
struggle for victory. 

The founder of Christianity, knowing the 
power of music, appropriated and hallowed it 
to his own service. He sang with his dis- 
ciples ; his Church sang while passing through 
its experience of persecuting torture ; and still 
the duty abides to " sing and make melody in 
your hearts unto the Lord." 

A singing Church, that sings with the spirit 
as well as the understanding, will always be a 
conquering Church. A Church that lightly 
esteems melody, one of the brightest of God's 
gifts, will, like the Quakers, fail to be aggress- 
ive. The final triumph of Christianity will be 
achieved in a good degree through the influ- 
ence of sacred song. 

Many a Christian warrior has had his cour- 
age revived by the singing of the battle hymn, 

" Am I a soldier of the cross ? " 



216 The Class Leader. 

Many a fainting pilgrim has been stimulated 
as with a cordial by the refrain, 

' There I shall bathe my weary soul 
In seas of heavenly rest." 

Many a home- sick exile has felt his breast thrill 
with joy while hearing the song, 

" We're going home." 

Many a penitent has beheld the cross during 
the singing of 

" Five bleeding wounds he bears, 
Received on Calvary." 

The hearty singing of an appropriate and 
suggestive stanza or chorus at suitable intervals 
is essential to the highest interest and useful- 
ness of class-meetings. No Leader should al- 
low his class-meeting to lack such singing. If 
he cannot lead the singing himself, he should, 
if possible, secure the presence of some one at 
every meeting who can and will do it. Let 
the right words and tunes be always selected, 
for much of the power of singing in the class- 
room consists in its adaptation. 



How to Lead a Class. 217 

"The singing ought not to be heavy, dull, 
and formal. Neither should it, on the other 
hand, approach the style of dancing tunes or 
jigs. The character of the singing should be 
that of chaste simplicity ; flowing, lively tunes, 
easy to learn and easy to sing." * 

" Let the singing," says another, " be in the 
spirit. Introduce singing books. Engage in 
silent prayer for a moment or two as prepara- 
tory to one who shall audibly pray, not into 
heaven to bring God down from above, but 
believing that he is nigh them, even in their 

hearts."! 

The class-meeting should be closed with 
prayer. A Leader ought not to send his mem- 
bers away without first committing them to 
God. It may be as profitable, however, for him 
to invite one of the members to lead in the 
closing prayer, especially if he prayed himself 

* Writer in " Zion's Herald," many years ago. The quota- 
tions in the preceding pages, attributed to that journal, are 
from this writer. 

f J. H. Richards. Essay. 



21 8 The Class Leader, 

at the opening. But after the experiences have 
been told, and the advices have been given, 
and the members of the class are about to sep- 
arate for the week, they should bow down to- 
gether in prayer for the Divine guidance and 
protection. 

Before dismissing the class, the Leader should 
call the names of the members and carefully 
mark his class-book. 

" I found it useful," says Dr. Brunson, " if 
not necessary, in meeting class, to have the 
class-book with pencil in hand, and mark it ac- 
cording to usage. If the book was duly marked 
I could know how each member attended, and 
whether the absence of any one was from neg- 
ligence, sickness, distance, or absence from 
home, and consequently who should be looked 
after."* 

Another writer says that a Leader "should 
mark his class-book correctly every week. In 
order to do this he ought to call each name in 
the class-room, so that if any are sick or at a 

* Letter. 



How to Lead a Class. 219 

distance, some one present having a knowledge 
of the fact may report the case, and the book 
be marked accordingly, and not marked absent 
merely because they are not present and no 
one knows the cause thereof. Besides, when 
the preachers come to meet the class, or exam- 
ine the class-book, they can see precisely how 
every member attends class." Of those who 
are not present to respond when their names 
are called, -the same writer says : "The Leader 
should try to ascertain as far as possible the 
cause of their absence. They may be sick and 
need the prayers of the brethren ; or if poor, 
some temporal relief; or they may be sorely 
tempted, and need special encouragement ; or 
they may have partially deviated from the path 
of propriety, and are about to give up all effort 
to serve God and save their souls, and need 
special help to recover their footsteps and re- 
new their covenant with God." * 

" Never forget or neglect," says the Rev. J. B. 
Finley, " to mark your class-book in the pres- 

* Writer in " Christian Advocate," Dec. 23, 1840. 



220 The Class Leader. 

ence of your class, and inquire about those 
who are absent. Never omit this. And, if 
possible, go right from your class-room to see 
the absentees, and you will not have to do this 
more than twice or thrice until your delinquent 
brother or sister will say, ' I must go to class or 
my Leader will be after me.' " 

The Leader who would be successful should 
never forget that it is his office to lead and not 
to coerce his members. Vigilance, skill, and 
kindness are the qualities he should illustrate 
in his work, and not arrogance and sternness 
One who had received a new baptism of love 
said, " I have been a class driver long enough ; 
now I mean to be a Class Leader!' Blessed is 
he who truly and safely leads his class, and 
happy is the class that is thus led. 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 22: 



CHAPTER XIII. 

DIFFERENT METHODS OF LEADING CLASS. 

JI/gAlFFERENT men, employed in the same 

W^-> work, do not commonly use the same 

methods. Their individual characteristics are 

shown in their way of working. Though the 

work be the same, the plans for doing it differ, 

and bear the stamp of the individuality of the 

worker. 

What work is there which affords no scope 

for the inventive faculty ? The rudest labors 

have been relieved of their more repulsive 

aspects, and the ease and efficiency of the 

laborer enhanced by means of this faculty. 

While progress has distinguished our age, and 

has permeated and elevated every sphere of toil, 

is it unreasonable to suppose that the means 

of Christian work would also be simplified and 

rendered more effective ? 

The same method is not equally good for all 
15 



222 The Class Leader. 

workers. What one man can do best in one 
way, another can best do in another. It is 
a waste of energy to trammel a man by a 
method unsuited to him. It is, therefore, the 
right of each to adopt the means which will 
best enable him to accomplish the intended 
results. 

This is as true of a Class Leader's work as 
of any other department of religious activity. 
While the design and character of the class- 
meeting have been fixed by the authority of the 
Church, and the Leader must bow to that au- 
thority in the conduct of his office, yet there is 
abundant scope for the display of individual 
gifts and the exercise of special aptitudes. 
Every Leader is required to ascertain the spirit- 
ual state of his members, and to be acquainted 
with their walk, and to instruct them accord- 
ingly. But how he shall answer this require- 
ment the Church does not determine. It leaves 
him free to do it in the way which he finds to 
be for him the most natural and effective. 

One Leader for instance, is especially skillful 



Different Methods of Leading Class, 223 

»n drawing out the experiences of his members 
by asking them questions. Another is equally 
happy in reaching the same result by means of 
the conversational method — that is, having the 
members converse freely and informally about 
their religious experience, while he directs the 
conversation, and imparts to it the interest of 
his suggestions and advices. Still another is 
never so much at home in the class-room, nor 
so efficient as Leader, as when the members 
each speak in their turn, and he replies to 
them with force and wisdom, giving to each " a 
portion of meat in due season." 

This last method is pursued with very decided 
success by Mr. Taylor, of Trinity Church, Jersey 
City. He reads a brief Scripture lesson after 
prayer and singing, and makes pertinent and 
earnest remarks, which are not improperly pro- 
tracted ; presents his own experience in a few 
words, and then proceeds to ask those present 
to relate their experience, one by one. He 
either sits or stands, according to his inclina- 
tion or convenience, while the speaking is going 



224 The Class Leader. 

on. His replies are short, quick, sagacious, 
revealing often a good knowledge of his mem- 
bers when they are out of the class-room, and 
his spirit and manner are unctuous. Pie is 
evidently very earnest and happy, and infuses 
his spirit into the exercises. He is prompt 
to approve what he sees is praiseworthy in a 
member, and hesitates not to rebuke, out of a 
loving heart, when he believes fidelity to his 
holy trust requires it. His class is largely at- 
tended always, and every meeting is a season 
to be remembered. He is a general in the class- 
room, and his class-meetings contribute much 
toward the maintenance of a healthy and happy 
spiritual life in the Church in which they are 
held. 

Mr. Sterling, of the same Church, conducts 
his class after substantially the same plan, 
and with marked efficiency and success. Bet- 
ter class-meeting work and results are seldom 
seen than these leaders exhibit, in following 
the old method of leading class. 

Mr. H. H. Webb, of Emory Church, Jersey 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 225 

City, is another very efficient Leader, who 
steadily maintains the interest of his class- 
meetings, and the attendance of his members 
is excellent. He varies his methods, but what- 
ever method he employs he uses it skillfully. 
He describes his way of leading class as follows : 
" I devote one evening in a month to prayer 
and singing exclusively. One to an experience 
meeting, either voluntary or solicited, with an 
occasional word of encouragement, reproof, or 
advice as may seem best adapted, interspersed, 
of course, with appropriate songs. On such 
occasions I generally read at the opening one 
or more verses from the Bible, making a few 
remarks in order to draw out from the mem- 
bers the real spiritual condition and feelings of 
their hearts. I devote generally, in the course 
of a month, two evenings to Scripture recita- 
tions, bearing on some subject previously an- 
nounced, and I find them very interesting and 
profitable. Two weeks ago the subject which 
was given out the preceding week was, 'Who 
are the blessed ? Am I among the blessed ? 



226 The Class Leader. 

and, Where shall I find a verse adapted to ex- 
press my feelings ?' This plan has the tenden- 
cy to keep our minds fixed on spiritual matters 
during the week, affords food for thought, and 
familiarizes young converts with the word of 
God. Last night, as previously announced, our 
subject was ' heaven.' Number in attendance, 
nineteen ; many of whom testified that they had 
given it much thought during the week, and 
had often asked themselves during that time 
' Shall I gain that blessed abode ? ' The meet- 
ing was very interesting, and I really felt 
' heaven begun below.' " He adds, " I have 
made every effort to make my meetings as 
varied as possible." He also says, " Freedom, 
ease, sociality, with becoming reverence in the 
class-room, is what I am continually trying to 
effect."* 

Another method for securing the object in- 
tended by the class-meeting is that of the Rev. 
Charles Morgan, of New Bedford, Mass., which 
he calls "the conversational plan." He thus 

* Letters to author. 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 227 

states it : — " I tried it first in Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, Albany, New York, and 
lately in this city in Fourth-street Methodist 
Episcopal Church, where I am now pastor. 

" After opening the meeting I announced the 
topic of conversation, and gave my own ex- 
perience concerning it, and then asked for 
volunteers to do the same, all the while mak 
ing all they say come out in the form of natural 
conversation. I forewarned them that there 
must be no discussion — nothing but experience. 
One had the liberty to interrupt another at any 
time by questions, and sometimes this privilege 
was improved and enjoyed very much. I pro- 
posed no subject but such as related to the 
inner life, as, for example, ' Faith in the prom- 
ises,' ( the witness of the Spirit/ ' answers to 
prayer,' 'secret prayer.' I did not continue 
these meetings many weeks in succession in 
either place, because to some they were too 
novel ; while others pronounced them spiritual, 
very instructive, and interesting." * 

* Letter to author. 



228 The Class Leader. 

Mr. D. H. Hanaburg, of Florida, New York, 
has tried different methods, but the one which 
he employs to best advantage combines the 
leading features of Mr. Webb's and Mr. Mor- 
gan's plans. He says : — 

" Disliking the old method of a brief testi- 
mony from each person, and a reply from the 
Leader, because of the monotony, and because 
of so little real thought being awakened, I have 
tried various experiments in different places. 
I am fully convinced that methods must vary 
according to the circumstances of the people 
and their intellectual and spiritual advance- 
ment. But the plan which I have found to 
work to the greatest advantage is to have a 
free talk. To avoid rambling and unprofitable 
conversation, and also to lead to thought ooth 
before and after the meeting, the Leader gives 
out a Scripture promise at the close of a meet- 
ing for the succeeding one. Something of a 
system of texts, beginning with the Christian 
life, and then expressing different stages of ad- 
vancement, has been profitably used in several 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 229 

classes. With two or three persons of con- 
siderable experience there is no difficulty in 
occupying an hour or more in illustrating and 
enforcing a text from practical experience and 
observation. Young Christians being encour- 
aged to ask questions and present any difficul- 
ties which may hinder them, soon find these 
meetings sources of knowledge and strength. 
In a class of six or eight, or even twenty, near- 
ly every regular attendant will soon have some- 
thing to say, if the Leader is skillful in drawing 
out the diffident. In a class of fifty, as my 
present one often contains, all do not have the 
opportunity to converse, yet all acknowledge 
themselves profited. Frequently unconverted 
persons are present, and several quite regular 
attendants. Much depends upon the Leader in 
giving variety and in making home applications 
of the promises used."* 

No method should be so employed as to de- 
prive any member of the class of the privilege 
of speaking, and allow to those who are ia- 

* Letter to author. 



230 The Class Leader. 

clined to be loquacious an opportunity to mo- 
nopolize the conversation of the class-room. 
All the members have equal rights there, and 
a Leader ought not to permit those of the hum- 
blest to be infringed. 

The Rev. Charles Tinsley, of the South-east 
Indiana Conference, shapes a good plan for 
making class-meetings efficient His sugges- 
tions are as follows : — 

•' 1. Get the best men for Leaders, pious, 
thoughtful, laborious. 

" 2. Have Leaders' prayer-meetings once a 
month, to suggest improvements and seek the 
Divine blessing. 

" 3. Commence on time and close promptly. 

" 4. Never fail to have class. A merchant 
never closes his store because it is rainy. 

" 5. Variety is good, but within limits. 

" 6. Follow up decided impressions on the 
young, through the week, either yourself, or by 
asking a suitable person, by a card, to do what 
you want to have done. 

" 7. Conversation, free and yet under con- 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 23 1 

trol, brings out conditions no other system 
does, 

" 8. Avoid formality. 

" 9. Seek frequent baptisms of the Holy Spirit. 

" 10. Have a special subject occasionally, and 
encourage praying for certain persons in the 
class." * 

The Rev. W. R. Goodwin, of Illinois Confer- 
ence, gives valuable suggestions for making the 
class-meeting an occasion of interest and profit. 
He says : — 

" An experience of seventeen years as a min- 
ister hp.s taught me the following are requisites 
for successful meetings : — 

" 1. A pastor who believes in class-meetings. 

" 2. A religious Leader — a sensible man. 

" 3. Good singing. 

"4. Social and religious conversation, ques- 
tions and answers, instead of set stereotyped 
speeches. 

" 5. A suitable room. 

" 6. Brief services"! 

* Letter to author. f Letter to author. 



232 The Class Leader. 

As to "social and religious conversation," we 
doubt. The class-meeting is a strictly religious 
meeting though it has a social character. Re- 
ligious conversation carried on in a social way 
is what we suppose to be intended by the 
writer in this suggestion. If the various do- 
mestic, and business topics which frequently 
enter into the social conversation of Chris- 
tians — and properly enough at the right time 
and place — are to be introduced, it should be 
either before the class begins or after it is 
closed. 

Mr. J. H. V. Smith, a Leader in Asbury 
Church, Indianapolis, says that in leading class 
he varies the exercises, which are enlivened by 
" good, earnest, quick time singing ; sometimes 
I have volunteer speaking, at other times close, 
searching meetings of inquiry as to how our 
souls prosper, and work in all the good material 
to the best advantage. If the interest keep up 
I hold an hour ; but if few are present, and the 
interest is about to flag, close at once, if the 
meeting has only run fifteen minutes. 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 233 

"Sometimes, and in some places, frequent 
conversational meetings are interesting and 
profitable. After the opening exercises let 
the Leader say, ' The class is open for conver- 
sation.' Some topic may be introduced occa- 
sionally." He adds, " I think it a good plan, 
where you have brethren or sisters who will do 
so, to have a fifteen or twenty minutes' exhor- 
tation on some leading thought or topic to open 
the meeting with."* 

An address of such length from a member 
or Leader at the opening could hardly be serv- 
iceable as a regular feature of the meeting. 
Occasionally, such efforts, if suitably performed, 
might be found attractive and useful. 

The method of Mr. W. H. Wolffe, of St. 
Paul's Church, Cincinnati, is given on pages 
86, 87 of this volume, to which the reader 
will do well to refer. 

Mr. H. T. Martin, a Leader in Ontario, Story 
County, Iowa, gives the following pleasant de- 
scription of his work in the class-room. He 

* Letter to the author. 



234 The Class Leader 

says, " I sometimes announce a particular theme 
tor prayer and study during the week. As often 
as every three months I request all the mem- 
bers to try and live nearer the cross than they 
ever did, and say to them ' I want you on next 
Sabbath to tell how you have lived during the 
week.' When the time arrives, I say ' I don't 
care any thing about any of your past life ex- 
cept the past week. What have been your 
daily and hourly enjoyments ? Have you made 
any growth in grace ? Do you feel you are 
one week nearer home and heaven ?' O such 
meetings as follow these individual weeks ! 
Such witnessings for Jesus ! Such sweet sea- 
sons — to hear them tell how happy they have 
been all the week— to hear one recount his 
troubles over, and another recount her treasures 
above ! I believe this to be a very successful 
way of promoting pure holiness ; at least it has 
proved a great success with us. We have 
glorious meetings every time we meet — have a 
revival all the time — have had for the last year."* 

* Letter to the author. 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 235 

None will wonder that this Leader is able to 
say, as he does, that he has a " regular attend- 
ance by both old and young." Lively and 
profitable class-meetings are always alluring. 

Mr. J. H. Richards, of Montclair, New 
Jersey, says : " It is not always necessary to 
conduct the exercises in the same way. Culti- 
vate a social, cheerful spirit. Do not be per- 
turbed if one of the members should ask for 
the singing of a hymn which expresses the 
heart-hunger of the asker. Too much formal- 
ity might be prevented by reading in concert a 
selection of Scripture. There need be no fear 
of flippancy and irreverence, for class attend- 
ance involves a deep-seated solemnity. Once a 
week, at least, the soul seems to be opened for 
Divine inspection. Occasionally ask a good 
reader to read the opening hymn, calling special 
attention to it, . . . The need of all our meet- 
ings is, to impress the truth of God's word on 
all, that whenever two or three are met togeth- 
er in his name, there is he in the midst. Let 
the expectation of the class be expressed in 



$36 The Class Leader. 

the hymn, ' Talk with us, Lord, thyself re- 
veal.'" 

Father Reeves, the noted English Class 
Leader, was accustomed occasionally to hold a 
delightful Bible service in his class. And thus 
he gave variety to his meetings and incited his 
members to study the sacred word. After 
opening the meeting he would make suitable 
remarks, and then proceed with the service as 
follows : — 

" I shall now read the fifty- third chapter of 
Isaiah. 

" Then this verse was sung : — 

1 See, from his head, his hands, his feet, 
Sorrow and love flow mingled down ; 

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, 
Or thorns compose so rich a crown ? ' 

" Then Brother P was directed to read 

the third chapter of the Second Epistle of St. 
Peter, after which the class sang this versej — 

' Should all the forms that men devise 
Assault my faith with treacherous art. 

I'd call them vanity and lies, 

And bind the Gospel to my heart.' 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 237 

" ' Now,' says our friend, ' as God, in so much 
love to us, has given us his dear and well-be- 
loved Son, that we may be saved, our duty is 
to repent and believe the Gospel. This is 
needful for all. So we find it in the word of 
God ; what is necessary for one is necessarv for 
the whole world. Daniel ix ; Jonah iii ; Psa. li ; 
Acts ii, 37, 38; xvi, 30, 31/ 

"Then Sister K was appointed to read 

the fifty-first Psalm, but first this verse was 
sung : — 

1 When quiet in my house I sit, 
Thy book be my companion still ; 

My joy thy sayings to repeat, 

Talk o'er the records of thy will, 

And search the oracles divine, 

Till every heartfelt word be mine.' 

"The one hundred and third Psalm was then 
read. 

"'And now/ continues the Leader, 'we will 
remind ourselves again, that it is by faith alone 
in the precious blood of atonement that the 
poor, broken-hearted, repentant, sorrowing sin- 
ner can be justified. Romans v, 1 ; Romans 
16 



238 The Class Leader. 

iii, 21 to the end ; Galatians iii ; Titus iii, 5, 6; 
Matthew ix, 20-22 ; Mark v, 28-36. Let these 
suffice.' 

" Then a verse was sung : — 

* The thing surpasses all my thought, 

But faithful is my Lord ; 
Through unbelief I stagger not, 

For God hath spoke the word ;' 

and Brother H was called upon to read the 

second chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians. 

" After this the Leader again exhorted : ' We 
would not forget to remind ourselves of our 
unspeakable privilege ; for it is the will of God, 
our heavenly Father, that we should be sancti- 
fied wholly, spirit, soul, and body, and so be 
preserved blameless unto the coming of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. v, 23, 24. 

" ( But all the work of genuine religion, from 
first to last, is carried on in the soul by the 
Holy Spirit ; this, so to speak, is his depart- 
ment in the economy of our redemption. The 
Father is represented as originating the scheme, 
the Son executing it, and the Spirit as applying 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 239 

it. O then, my dear and beloved friends, you 
must see how necessary it is, in all divine 
things, to have right knowledge of God's holy 
word. How can you get on in the way to 
heaven without studying the Bible ? The rea- 
son why so many turn back, and others get on 
so slowly, is because they do not study to make 
themselves acquainted with divine truth. O 
hear the ever-blessed Saviour's own words : 
Sanctify them through thy truth : Thy word is 
truth. John xvii, 17; Ezek. xxxvi, 25-29; 
Ephes. i, 13, 14; iii, 15 to the end; Ephes. v, 
26, 27 ; 1 John iv, 17, 18 ; 1 Peter i, 21-23. 

"The members were then called upon to 
sing :— 

1 Satan, with all his arts, no more 

Me from the gospel hope shall move ; 

I shall receive the gracious power, 
And find the pearl of perfect love.' 

" One more exhortation did the Leader give, 
4 Not to forget our glorious rest with Jesus in 
his everlasting kingdom;' and a number of 
references to the sacred volume are made, to 



24c The Class Leader. 

excite the faith of his class. Finally, Brothei 

K was called upon to read the 14th chapter 

of St. John, and Brother W— — to read the 
7th chapter of the Book of Revelation. An- 
other verse was sung : — 

' Out of great distress they came : 
Wash'd their robes by faith below, 

In the blood of yonder Lamb, — 
Blood that washes white as snow.' 

" One more hymn, the 728th, page 656, was 
sung ; the whole service was sanctified by the 
word of God and prayer, and this unique class- 
meeting separated." 

Thus do earnest Leaders employ different 
devices to make the class-meeting interesting 
and useful. How best to secure such an ob- 
ject is worthy of every Leader's most thought- 
ful and patient study. Whatever method he 
can devise or adopt which will increase the inter- 
est and profit of his meetings, he should em- 
ploy with whatever skill he can command. He 
should keep in mind the following directions, 
given in the Discipline, for conducting class- 



Different Methods of Leading Class. 241 

meetings : " Let care be observed that they do 
not fall into formality, through the use of a 
uniform method. Let speaking be voluntary, 
or the exercises conversational, the Leader 
taking such measures as may best assist in 
making the services fresh, spiritual, and of per- 
manent religious profit." 



242 The Class Leader. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE PASTOR. 

l HE relations of the Leaders and the pas- 
tor ought to be of the most cordial and 
confidential character. They should know ev- 
ery thing needful to be known in relation to 
the moral and religious condition of the Church, 
and should freely consult together. They 
should " see eye to eye," and act in accord with 
reference to the spiritual work and discipline 
of the Church. They should be in harmony, 
especially in their views of Christian life, doc- 
trine, and duty, so that there may be no con- 
flict between the teachings of the pulpit and 
of the class-room. 

The relation of the pastor of a Church and 
its Leaders is that of principal and assistants. 
He is responsible for the spiritual oversight and 
instruction of the membership; they are ap- 
pointed to assist him in this work. While he, 



The Pastor. 243 

on his part, should not "lord it over God's heri- 
tage," they ought not, because of the influence 
of their office, to disregard his authority as the 
overseer of the Church. Pastor and Leaders 
ought ever to labor in perfect agreement in 
caring for the flock. 

The Discipline of the Church wisely intrusts 
to the pastor the appointment of Class Leaders. 
" If it be right," says Bishop Janes, " that a 
general, who is responsible for the results of a 
campaign, should select his staff, is it not just 
as proper that the pastor, who is to lead 'the 
sacramental host,' and who is responsible to 
God and his Church for the spiritual weal of 
the people, should select those who are to rep- 
resent and assist him ? It seems to me that 
there can be none but an affirmative answer to 
the inquiry." 

It is the pastor's business to know how the 
Leaders do their work. As they receive their 
authority from him, and are his agents or as- 
sistants, doing his work, it is needful that he 
be acquainted with their way of doing it. 



244 The Class Leader. 

He can ascertain this by visiting the classes, 
and hearing the Leaders for himself. I think 
it is a serious mistake for a pastor, when he 
visits a class, to always accept an invitation to 
lead. If he has any thing to say to the mem- 
bers he can say it at the close, and by quietly 
sitting among them during the meeting he 
can know just how the Leader does his work. 
Then if he discovers any thing improper in 
the method of the Leader, or sees how his effi- 
ciency might be increased, he can give sugges- 
tions and advice with a full knowledge of the 
case. It is a part of the work of the pastor to 
hear his Leaders with sufficient frequency to 
know to what degree they instruct and edify 
their members. 

It is, therefore, a pastor's duty to visit the 
classes. The old rule was, that he should do 
this quarterly; but it is probable that most 
pastors would find it useful to make their visits 
more frequent. And yet they should not be 
too frequent, lest there should be occasion for 
the Leader to feel that he is under surveillance ; 



The Pastor. 245 

nor should visits be made to one class much 
more frequently than to the others, unless for 
special reasons. 

The pastor can make his visitations to the 
classes helpful to the Leaders in several ways. 
In the first place, if he will announce his in- 
tended visit from the pulpit on the previous 
Sabbath, and kindly invite all the members of 
the class to meet him in class-meeting, giving 
them to understand that it will afford him 
pleasure to see them, he will make his visit an 
occasion for a special rally, and will be likely to 
draw out those who need an extraordinary in- 
centive to attend. The result will be, increased 
interest in the class-meeting. In this way let 
the pastor go regularly through the classes of 
the Church, and his visitations will be means 
of help and of blessing. 

He can aid the Leader and class by mani- 
festing, in suitable ways, his interest and sym- 
pathy ; by addressing inspiring and encouraging 
words to the members ; by becomingly com- 
mending the Leader and his work ; and by 



246 The Class Leader. 

such counsels as will tend to an increase of 
efficiency and enthusiasm. 

The class-meetings should receive attention 
from the pastor in the pulpit. If he do not 
preach especially on the subject, he can at least 
give them a place in his ministrations incident- 
ally, and occasionally stir up the membership 
in respect to the privilege and duty of class 
attendance. A warm appeal now and then 
from the pulpit will help the class-meetings 
and the Leaders. The pastor should also reg- 
ularly announce the time of the meeting of 
classes. This might be done with advantage 
once, at least, each Sabbath. It gives the 
classes prominence, it serves as a reminder to 
the members, informs strangers, and shows the 
pastor's own concern in an important interest 
of the Church. 

The pastor can also greatly contribute to the 
success of the Leaders' work by giving suitable 
prominence to the class-meeting in his pastoral 
conversations with the members. Especially 
should he inquire of them concerning their 



The Pastor. 247 

habits in attending class ; encourage them to 
be regular in this duty, and remove any hinder- 
ance or prejudice from their minds, should any 
exist, so far as his skill and knowledge may en- 
able him to do so. He should also aim to sus- 
tain the Leaders and strengthen their influence 
by speaking favorably of them, and inducing 
their members to rally round them. 

In the same manner ought the Leaders to 
aid the pastor. They should never, on any 
account, speak disparagingly of him. They 
ought to endeavor to strengthen his hold upon 
the Church and increase his usefulness, by 
commending him and his teachings to the favor 
of their members. They should insist on their 
members regularly hearing the word which it 
is his business to proclaim from Sabbath to 
Sabbath. They ought to look as closely after 
them on the Lord's day, to see that they are 
in their places in church, as they do on the 
class-night, to see that they are in the class- 
room ; and especially should they see that they 
attend the sacrament of the Lord's supper. 



248 The Class Leader. 

It is said of that rare Class Leader, Father 
Reeves, that at the meeting " prior to sacrament 
Sunday he was sure to make the announce- 
ment, together with the 'hope of meeting all 
my dear members at the Lord's table.' And 
he looked after them too. For many a long 
year the good old man took his stand just under 
the corner of the pulpit stairs, gently aiding to 
form the line of waiting communicants, and 
narrowly scanning each line for the members 
of his own flock." By such care and faithful- 
ness a Leader can greatly contribute to the suc- 
cess of the pastor's ministry, and to the unity 
and prosperity of the Church. 

The pastor should seek to promote, in all 
suitable ways, the personal improvement of 
the Leaders. He should not only be solicitous 
for their spiritual progress, but also for their 
mental growth. In proportion as they increase 
in knowledge and in grace will their usefulness 
be augmented. It is the duty of a Leader to 
stud}', that he may show himself " a workman 
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly divid- 



The Pastor. 249 

ing the word of truth." It is not necessary 
that his studies should lead him into very di- 
versified regions of knowledge ; but in the do- 
mains of Bible history, biography, precept and 
promise, he should be a steady explorer. He 
should study such books as are rich in Chris- 
tian experience, and clear in the statement of 
Christian doctrine. Leaders ought to become 
familiar with the best hymns of the Church, 
and with works that have a special relation to 
their office. In fine, they should apply them- 
selves to whatever studies will increase their 
qualifications as religious teachers, and render 
them more effective as Christian workers. 

It should be the pastor's care to supervise 
the studies of his assistants in the great work 
of the pastorate. He ought to be able to direct 
their attention to books suitable for them, and 
in the study of which they would receive spirit- 
ual nourishment and mental quickening. It 
would be well for him to meet them at stated 
times, for the purpose of learning how they 
progress ; of discussing with them the subjects 



250 The Class Leader. 

of their investigations ; assisting them by such 
suggestions and information as he can give 
them, and directing their attention to whatever 
might help them in their work. If all the pas- 
tors of the Church would thus labor for the 
improvement of the Leadership, the class-meet- 
ings would greatly increase in interest and use- 
fulness, and the power of the Leaders would 
probably be doubled. If Sunday-school teach- 
ers need the aid of the pastor in seeking better 
qualifications for their work, so also do the 
Leaders ; for their service is at least no less 
difficult, important, and responsible. 

In view of the great interest the Church has 
in its Class Leaders, and the vast importance 
of their work, it ought, I think, to provide for 
them a series of volumes, specifically adapted 
to their needs. A " Class Leaders' Library," 
consisting of a score, more or less, of inexpen- 
sive volumes, thoroughly prepared by compe- 
tent writers, would be one of the most useful 
publishing enterprises in which our Book Con- 
cern could engage. 



The Pastor. 2^1 

The direction given in the Discipline re- 
specting the pastor's duty in relation to the 
intellectual improvement of the Leaders is most 
wise. It is in these words : — 

" Let the Leaders be directed to such a 
course of reading and study as shall best qual- 
ify them for their work ; especially let such 
books be recommended as will tend to increase 
their knowledge of the Scriptures, and make 
them familiar with those passages best adapted 
to Christian edification. Whenever practicable, 
let the preachers examine the Leaders in the 
studies recommended." 

Every Leader ought to be instructed in re- 
gard to the necessity of an adequate knowledge 
of words and of the use of them. The Leader 
should be able so to employ words in his class- 
room addresses as to convey precisely the mean- 
ing he intends. The happy use of language is 
an art which every religious teacher should la- 
bor to acquire. The Leader should, like the 
preacher of whom the author of Ecclesiastes 
writes, seek "to find out acceptable words." 



252 The Class Leader. 

His should be words of truth, but they will not 
be such in the fullest sense, if through failure 
to select them intelligently he shall cause them 
to convey to his hearers a meaning which he 
does not intend, thereby making them, it may 
be, vehicles of error. 

In respect to this subject Father Reeves 
showed nice discrimination. " I have learned," 
he says, " that there is a vast difference in the 
force that different words carry with them, as 
much difference as there is between the sound 
of a sheep-bell and the great bell of St. Paul's." 
And a wiser than he says, " The words of the 
wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the 
masters of assemblies." The Leader should 
be so well furnished for the expression of his 
thoughts as that he may not let any commu- 
nication proceed out of his mouth "but that 
which is good to the use of edifying, that it 
may minister grace unto the hearers." 

The best and most suitable words effectively 
uttered, add much to a Leader's addresses. 
They go far to constitute eloquence. The class- 



The Pastor. 253 

room utterances of a Leader, because of their 
necessary brevity, ought to be crowded the 
more with pungent thought and eloquent emo- 
tion. And words fitly chosen are the best 
vehicle of both. 

The pastor, therefore, should instruct the 
Leaders that a dictionary is essential to every 
well-selected Class Leader's Library. Blair's 
Rhetoric, he might also inform them, would be 
very serviceable, and afford interesting reading. 
The first will teach the Leader the right pro- 
nunciation and meaning of words, and the other 
will direct him how to marshal them into sen- 
tences, which will clearly and forcibly convey 
his ideas to the minds of his hearers. So will 
he avoid teaching " erroneous and strange doc- 
trine " through a misuse of words. 

Thus in harmony and love should the pastor 
and Leaders live and- serve. Counseling, en- 
couraging, and inspiring one another, and re- 
joicing in one another's success, they should 
labor together as "true yoke-fellows" in the 

Gospel. Their mutual sympathy and help will 
17 



254 The Class Leader. 

lighten the burden of their toils, and greatly 
conduce to the felicity of the Church. Their 
unity of mind and effort will give efficiency to 
their plans for promoting Zion's prosperity. 
They will have the happiness of seeing their 
part of the great vineyard made beauteous and 
fruitful under the culture of their united hands, 
and also the blissful anticipation of the final 
reward, when together they " shall shine as the 
brightness of the firmament," yea, "as the sun 
in the kingdom of their Father." 



Revivals. 255 



CHAPTER XV. 

REVIVALS. 

EVIVALS are the Church's harvests 
They are as legitimately the result of 
the fervent prayers, the vital faith, and zealous 
work of the Church, as fields of grain waving 
before the sickle are the product of the sowing 
and culture of the husbandman. 

The Church of Jesus Christ is essentially and 
successfully aggressive. Pentecost sounded the 
opening trumpet of militant Christianity, as it 
started at Jerusalem on its conquering march 
over the world ; and ever since the skies have 
trembled with "the noise of its captains and 
the shoutings " of its hosts, while falling ram- 
parts and tottering principalities of darkness 
have proclaimed its triumphs in the earth. 

In nature God accomplishes his purposes by 
lightning and thunder, as well as by star-beams 



256 The Class Leader. 

and zephyrs. He shakes the world with earth- 
quakes, and moistens it with dew. The night 
winds that " creep from leaf to leaf" are his 
messengers, and so are the tornadoes that rouse 
the seas into fury, and blacken the heavens with 
wrath. The small and the great, the weak and 
the mighty, the gentle and the terrible, are alike 
the instruments of his will. 

So, also, is it in the realm of grace. God 
speaks in " the still small voice," and also in the 
whirlwind, and he answereth by fire. His 
gracious economy includes the quiet influence 
that opened Lydia's heart, and the rushing 
mighty wind that overwhelmed the multitudes 
in Jerusalem. 

Methodism is the fruit of a revival. Com- 
mencing in England, it " set the kingdom in a 
blaze." Unchecked by floods, it leaped across 
the ocean, and began to flame over North 
America. It flashed the light of life into vast 
regions that were enveloped in the darkness of 
spiritual death. The fire became shut up in 
the bones of hundreds, and they rushed forth 



Revivals. 257 

on saddle-bags, through forests and waters, 
over valleys and mountains, shouting, " Whoso- 
ever will, let him come." Tears fell. Weird 
sounds of anguish filled the air. Halleluias 
broke forth. " Glory " resounded to " glory," as 
though the seraphic choir of Bethlehem had 
returned to repeat their song. Classes were 
formed. Class -meetings gave an outlet to 
strange raptures. Temples rose. Schools 
opened. The press was harnessed to the sad- 
dle-bags. The work was organized into a 
mighty system, and the result is — the American 
Methodist Church. 

No genuine Methodist is without the revival 
afflatus, for Methodism is a revival. It is a 
providential medium through which is poured 
into the world the fire of the Holy Ghost of 
the Pentecost. Millions are not converted in a 
century by a single agency, and scores of thou- 
sands of churches are not built in the same 
period for their accommodation, by a slow and 
languid movement. Such results can only be 
produced by a revival of momentous power. 



258 The Class Leader. 

Such a revival Methodism has been and is, 
and such it should continue to be. It has no 
reason for existing except to spread " scriptural 
holiness ; " or, in other words, to turn the world 
unto God. 

Every one who identifies himself with this 
movement, and enters heartily into it, becomes 
an instrument of revival. Whether in the pul- 
pit or in the obscurest pew, every soul con- 
verted through Methodism, and united with it 
by the bond of that conversion, is a part of this 
wonderful revival agency, and contributes in 
his measure to its force and its increase. 

Whatever regulations and adjustments hu- 
man hands have given to Methodism as a sys- 
tem are intended to adapt it more fully to its 
mission. This is the position of the class- 
meeting. It is a revival institution. It is a 
conspicuous part of a mighty spiritual enginery. 
" The class-meeting," says an authority, " is the 
nursery of Methodistic revival power." * 

" The secret," says the same authority, " of 

* Christopher on Class-meetings. 



Revivals. 259 

power on the part of Methodism in its aggres- 
sion on the world, has been from the beginning 
its own internal brotherly culture of spiritual 
life, in obedience to its own tested rules of 
weekly fellowship. While it has kept these 
rules ' for conscience' sake,' the Lord has added 
to its numbers. But when there has been an 
evident lack of the ' converting power,' it has 
been invariably in association with looseness of 
internal discipline, and the decay of class-meet- 
ing life and enjoyment. Methodism still shows 
that its loss of order in the use of its distinct- 
ive means of mutual edification is always an- 
swered by a loss of saving power over the outer 
world. It saves others just as it saves itself; 
and it saves itself no farther than it diligently 
uses the means which the Methodist conscience 
knows to be most effective. Its condition as a 
converting agency at any period has been the 
condition of its classes." 

To the extent that the class-meeting is a 
means of maintaining and developing the spirit- 
ual life of the Church, is it an agency for pro- 



26o The Class Leader. 

moting revivals ; for the strongei and more 
vivid is that life, the greater are is triumphs 
over sin and sinners. Thus the class-meeting 
is the training school in which the hosts of our 
Zion are fitted for conquest. It is a forge in 
whose heat their weapons receive celestial 
temper. 

In describing a wonderful revival in Virginia 
in 1787, the Rev. Jesse Lee, the first historian 
of American Methodism, says : " The work was 
not confined to meetings for preaching," and he 
adds : " In class-meetings the Lord frequently 
set mourning souls at liberty."* 

This has been the case throughout the his- 
tory of the institution. In class-meetings the 
impressions made by the preaching of the word 
have very often developed into conversion, and 
the class-rooms of Methodism from the begin- 
ning have resounded with the testimonies and 
the shoutings of souls there disenthralled by 
redeeming grace ; and in them many times have 
been enkindled the fires that have enwrapped 

* Lee's " Short History of the Methodists." 



Revivals. 261 

Churches and communities in a glorious blaze. 
The power of the class-meeting as a revival 
agency is demonstrated by its entire history, 
and cannot be adequately measured. 

The early Methodist preachers were accus- 
tomed to follow up the impressions produced by 
their preaching with personal appeals in the 
class-meeting directly after the sermon. There 
they met, not alone the members, but serious 
and awakened persons. Thus they made the 
class a powerful auxiliary of the pulpit in pro- 
moting the salvation of the people. 

To illustrate this statement, I will give a 
pleasant sketch from the pen of one of the early 
heroes of our ministry, the late venerated Peter 
Vannest. 

"In the year 1799," he says, "on Pittstield 
Circuit, at a place called Greenbush, I held a 
meeting in a school-house. 

"After public meeting I held a class-meet- 
ing. In passing through the class I came to 
an old man, a German, not a member of the 
class. I asked him if he had religion. He 



262 The Class Leader. 

said he had. I asked him if he belonged to any 
Church. He said that he belonged to a Luther- 
an Church in Germany. I asked him if God 
had converted his soul. He said, 'I do not 
know what you mean.' I asked him if he knew 
that God for Christ's sake had pardoned his 
sins. He said, ' I do not know any ting about 
dem tings.' ' Then,' said I, ' you have got no 
religion ; for the Lord says you must be born 
again or you cannot enter the kingdom of 
heaven.' So I passed on till I came to his 
wife, and found her in the same state. They 
both began to weep. I talked to them, and 
prayed with and for them ; but their distress 
increased. 

" I invited them to attend a prayer-meeting 
that evening in a private house. They did so, 
and when they came they were in great dis- 
tress. The man said, ' I feel so bad as if I can't 
liff.' I said, ' You must pray to the Lord to 
pardon your sins for Jesus Christ's sake.' ' O 
coot Got, what shall I do ? I cannot pray 
English.' ' I said, then pray Dutch.' He said, 



Revivals. 263 

1 Can de Lort understand dat ? ' I said, ' Yes/ 
So the old man and his wife both began in 
earnest to cry to the Lord in Dutch and En- 
glish, all mixed together. When they used 
English words it was, ' Good Lort, give me dat 
religion of Jesus ! ' So they prayed and cried 
to the Lord, and others joined them in fervent 
prayer ; and the good Lord came down in 
power and filled the house with his glory, and 
the old man got out of the prison-house, and 
such shouts of glory to God, in Dutch and 
English ; it was like heaven begun below. The 
man of the house also was brought under con- 
viction, and the next morning about daybreak 
the Lord set his soul at liberty." * 

The Rev. James Avars, for nearly half a cen- 
tury a prominent and successful Methodist 
minister, relates the following interesting nar- 
rative : — 

" Passing through the streets in Bridgeton, 
New Jersey, one evening I heard at a distance 
1 voice which sounded so sweetly that I was 

* "Christian Advocate," Sept. 24, 1845. 



264 The Class Leader. 

instinctively drawn in the direction of it. As 1 
advanced I saw the door of a house ajar, (it 
being warm weather,) and soon learned that a 
minister was leading a religious class in a pri- 
vate room. I listened, and such was the mel- 
lowness of his voice, and the unction with which 
he spoke, that I was perfectly entranced, and 
impressions were made on my mind never to 
be effaced. As the class-meeting was held 
weekly, on a subsequent evening, although an 
impenitent youth, I formed one of the number 
present. After Mr. Pitman had spoken to the 
other persons in the room he addressed some 
kind inquiries to me. Finding that I had not 
experienced converting grace, he led me, in a 
short series of questions and answers, to prom- 
ise that I would pray to God for a new heart. 
He then laid his hand upon my head, and in a 
most solemn and melting prayer called upon 
God and angels to witness my pledge, and en- 
treated the Lord to accept me as his own dear 
child. Such was the commencement of my 
own religious career, and surely I have occa- 



Revivals. 265 

sion to remember with reverence and gratitude 
the Rev. Charles Pitman." * 

Thus did the class-meeting prove in the 
hands of the fathers a powerful agency for the 
conversion of souls. And it is still capable of 
equal effectiveness, not only for the edification 
of believers, but for the salvation of sinners. 
Every Leader should constantly endeavor to 
make his class-meeting promotive of conver- 
sions and revivals. 

Class Leaders bear a very important and 
responsible relation to the revival work of the 
Church. While the pastor is the commander 
of the spiritual forces, they are his chief lieu- 
tenants. While he gives general directions for 
the movements of the army, they should see 
that their own battalions are valiant in the 
fight. They should bravely support their cap- 
tain, by seeing that his orders are carried out 
in battle. 

Bishops Coke and Asbury clearly show what 
is the relation of the Leadership to revivals 

* Sprague's "Annals of the American Methodist Pulpit." 



?.66 The Class Leader. 

when they say, "The revival of the work of 
God does perhaps depend as much upon the 
whole body of the Leaders as it does upon the 
whole body of the preachers." The words of 
Bishop Thomson in the "Christian Advocate" 
when he was its editor are of the same import. 
" There can be," he says, " no question that the 
united, influence of our Leaders in any charge 
where our system is properly worked is greater 
than that of its minister." Coke and Asbury 
likewise say, "A spiritual body of Leaders 
may counteract the otherwise pernicious con- 
sequences of a languid ministry." Still again 
they affirm, " Our Leaders, under God, are the 
sinews of our society, and our revivals will ever, 
in a great measure, rise or fall with them." 

A writer in New England, more than a quar- 
ter of a century ago, truly and forcibly said : 
" How much depends upon the Leaders to pre- 
serve the purity and spirituality of the Church, 
and to increase its members by the awakening 
of sinners and the conversion of penitents ! 
Each class is a little Church by itself, and if 



Revivals, 267 

every one is duly active and diligent, the main 
body is thriving, and active, and powerful. But 
not a single class can languish without a wast- 
ing and deadening influence upon the cause. 
All that is peculiarly valuable in our system 
depends, therefore, in a very eminent degree, 
upon the fidelity of the Class Leaders. These 
are the mighty men of our Israel, the cap- 
tains of the tens, under whose conduct the 
spiritual host is kept in order and carried into 
the conflict. Taken together, they have a good 
deal more power over the fortunes of the 
Church than the ministry. Without them but 
little can be accomplished — with them every 
thing." 

The vast power which the Leadeis are ca- 
pable of wielding for the world's salvation is 
scarcely exaggerated by this writer, who says : 
" Fifty thousand Class Leaders can put a new 
aspect on the state of religion in this nation, if, 
in the name of Him who was Leader of the 
first twelve, they resolve it shall be done." 

The Leader can make his office promotive 



268 The Class Leader. 

of revivals by teaching his members to labor for 
the conversion of sinners. This object should 
be held steadily before them, and the burden 
of the prayers in class-meeting should often be, 
" O Lord, revive thy work ! " 

Personal appeals should be made to the un- 
converted, and they should be invited to the 
class-room. Persons who are in the habit of 
attending the Church services on the Sabbath 
should be addressed tenderly by the Leader 
himself, or by members deputed to do it, and 
they should understand that they would receive 
a warm welcome at the class-meeting. There 
are in every congregation persons who are seri- 
ous about religion, and who would be glad if 
they could become Christians, but who lack 
the courage and resolution to come out boldly 
for Christ. Yet, perhaps, none take them by 
the hand and offer to lead them to Jesus. What 
they need is the loving offices of some one who 
yearns for their salvation. The Class Leaders, 
as the pastor's assistants, should be continually 
looking after such, and supervising the efforts 



Revivals. 269 

of their members in behalf of them, that they 
may be gathered into the fold. 

When the unconverted come to the class- 
meeting with serious concern for their souls, 
the meeting should often be shaped in their in- 
terest. The speaking, the singing, and praying 
should be largely for them. The class-hour 
might often thus become memorable on account 
of displays of converting grace. While believ- 
ers receive encouragement and strength, peni- 
tents should there be led to lose their burden 
at the cross. 

Father Reeves gave much attention as a 
Leader to the work of saving souls. Had he 
"a number of penitents in his class, the next 
prayer-meeting would be specially for them, 
penitential hymns selected, and an address of 
encouragement with Scripture references would 
be delivered. Were penitents set at liberty, 
well-chosen verses of praise to God, previously 
marked, were heartily sung. Had the class 
received, as into a hospital, some poor back- 
sliders, the following prayer-meeting was for 
18 



Zjo The Class Leader. 

them ; for them the hymns, for them the ex- 
hortation, for them the Scripture fact and 
Scripture promise, and for them the earnest, 
importunate, and prevailing prayer." 

Says his biographer, from whom also the 
above passage is quoted : " Some of the prayer- 
meetings in his classes were distinguished by 
much of the Divine presence ; at one penitent 
prayer-meeting twelve souls were set at liberty. 
Again, in 1838, Father Reeves writes according 
to his wont in his class-book : — 

" Glory be to his holy name, he has been ful- 
filling that great and glorious promise which 
he so clearly and fully gave me one Sunday 
morning, about the year 1830, when on my 
knees praying for my classes : ' The Lord shall 
increase you more and more, you and your 
children ; ye are the blessed of the Lord which 
made heaven and earth.' O, my ever blessed 
Father, keep me humble at the feet of Jesus 
while thou savest poor sinners. O, what have 
mine eyes seen ! The Lord has added in this 
class-book — 



Revivals. 271 

To my Sunday afternoon class 9 

*' Sunday evening " 8 

Wednesday " " 12 

Friday " " 8 

37 

And the blessed Lord has set twenty souls at 
happy liberty." 

The class-room of this devoted Leader fre- 
quently witnessed scenes of revival. At a still 
earlier period he wrote : — 

" December, 1832. The number of those who 
have been convinced of sin, those who have 
been converted, the backsliders restored, and 
the happy deaths, in my three classes this last 
year : — 

Convinced of sin 60 

Found peace 40 

Backsliders recovered 6 

Happy deaths 2 

and many now enjoy perfect love. Among the 
happy number of those who have found peace 
are these three strangers, Hessundne Ilbesume, 
from Egypt ; his name signifieth ' Comely and 
mighty ;' the next is a black from the borders 



272 The Class Leader, 

of China, John Robson ; and the third stranger 
is a woman from Tilston. 

" Another stranger from Egypt is only con- 
vinced of sin ; his name is Goudin Shaffee, 
which signifieth ' Intercessor.' " 

Such were the triumphs of this Christian sol- 
dier. Hear him shout over the spoils won from 
the enemy : — 

"Whitsunday, 1850. Glory be to God, my 
classes prosper. Although these are troublous 
times, yet we are adding poor sinners' names to 
our classes every week. And as the penitents 
increased in number we set apart this day to 
pray to Almighty God that he would pour out 
his Spirit as on the day of Pentecost. And, 
glory to God ! it was a season of triumph. No 
sooner had we begun to pour out our souls in 
fervent prayer and faith, than there came down 
an overwhelming power of the Spirit. Peni- 
tents began to cry aloud for mercy, and, glory 
be to Jesus ! they did not cry in vain. Five 
poor sinners found peace by faith in the blood 
of the Lamb. One poor old backslider was so 



Revivals. 273 

overcome with the joy of pardoning love that 
he was some minutes before he could speak to 
tell us ; one poor stranger found mercy from 
God ; and I believe several of the old members 
were made perfect in love. The spirit of love 
was poured out mightily on all, so that we 
scarcely could part. It was a Whit-Sunday, a 
day of Pentecost, never to be forgotten. To 
the triune God be all the glory, to whom alone 
it is due. It so overcame my weak body that 
I could not rest day nor night for pain ; but I 
could have wished for another body, to be spent 
for the Lord and the salvation of poor sinners, 
in the same work." 

For such seasons and results should every 
Leader labor. If such scenes were common in 
all the class-rooms of Methodism its Churches 
every-where would be radiant with revival glory, 
and the world would soon fall at the feet of 
Immanuel. 

My reader, are you a Class Leader ? Then 
remember that you stand at the head of a com- 
pany of Christ's warriors. You hold in your 



274 The Class Leader. 

hands a potent weapon. Wield it for God and 
for sinners. Be wise to win souls. For this 
study, pray, talk, plan, and work. Push the 
battle. Rally your whole force. See that all 
your soldiers are equipped and in the fight; 
and, trusting to the Captain of your salva- 
tion, be determined on victory. 

Leaders bear a weighty responsibility in 
relation to the special revival labors of the 
Church. When it is engaged in a campaign 
for souls, led by the pastor, the duty of the 
Leaders is to stand by his side, foremost in the 
conflict. They should remember that they are 
his lieutenants — Aarons and Hurs, who are to 
hold up his hands, and if they fail to do this, 
the battle will most likely end in defeat. How 
dreadful the disaster of such a defeat ! 

During the progress of revivals the Leader 
should see that his class is fully enlisted, and 
that it has its appropriate place and share in 
the contest. He should be ambitious to bring 
up his whole force. He should encourage and 
stimulate all, and see that none desert the field. 



Revivals. 275 

Not only should they be engaged in the con- 
flict in the church, but he should direct them 
in the hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy 
in the outside skirmishes during the day. In 
this he should be to them an example. Noth- 
ing should be left undone. The whole field 
should be kept under vigilant oversight, and at 
no point should the ranks be allowed to waver, 
nor the battle to slacken. 

Ought the class-meetings to be omitted dur- 
ing revivals ? I think not. At such times of 
interest and exigence the Leader needs es- 
pecially to see his members together as often 
as once a week, that he may counsel with 
them in regard to the struggle, and rally them 
anew to the onset. New converts, too, need to 
be gathered into the classes while in the fresh 
raptures of their first love. The class-meeting 
lines should be kept unbroken throughout every 
revival campaign. 

Of course the class-meetings should then be 
brief, and directed specifically to the promotion 
of the revival. In such times for action it is 



276 The Class Leader. 

not necessary that all should speak, nor should 
the Leader indulge in lengthened remarks. 
Pertinent, earnest, stirring prayers, with ad- 
dresses and songs, should be the order, con- 
cluded in thirty to forty-five minutes. By com- 
mencing a little before the time for opening the 
Church service, the members of the class may 
be in their places in the congregation shortly 
after the people are assembled. 

Shall not every Leader and every class in 
Methodism thus come " up to the help of the 
Lord, to the help of the Lord against the 
mighty?" 

The Methodist Episcopal Church alone has 
not less, probably, than fifty thousand Class 
Leaders now in her service. They are toiling 
amid the northern snows and the bloom of 
southern savannas. Their voices are resound- 
ing in the wilderness, and in the splendid tem- 
ples of populous and opulent cities. In cottage 
and school-house, among the poor and lowly, 
they are fulfilling their holy and helpful min- 
istry. Such a vast body of Christian workers, 



Revivals. 277 

intelligent, earnest, and spiritual, acting as they 
do directly upon the spiritual life of the mem- 
bership in the class-meetings, are an incalcul- 
able power. Upon their devotion and skill in 
their office largely depend the maintenance of 
our vivid and joyful type of Christian experi- 
ence, and the continuance of the vast conquests 
by our Church from the world. 



278 The Class Leader. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE CARE OF CONVERTS. 

^.ONVERTS should be gathered into the 
classes without delay, and taught to be 
regular and punctual in their attendance upon 
them. The class is the convert's training 
school. 

" We take men on probation," says Bishop 
Thomson, " with a view to their religious edu- 
cation. We regard such as catechumens, and 
the weekly class as their means of training." 

Converts commonly prosper who are faithful 
in attending class, while often the earliest indi- 
cation of backsliding is absence from it. If all 
our probationers could be held to the class- 
meeting, very few of them would be " dropped." 

"A long and wide acquaintance," says the 
Rev. S. W. Christopher, "with the personal 
history of many who were young Methodists 



The Care of Converts. 279 

during the earlier life of the writer, has left an 
impressive recollection of known facts. Multi- 
tudes upon multitudes were gathered into the 
fold, for the most part in times of gracious re- 
vival. Two things are still clear. Those who 
learned to prepare themselves for class-meeting 
by private heart-searching and prayer in the 
light of God's word, and who attended the class 
as regularly as they returned to their closets, 
have, almost without exception, left most pleas- 
ant and holy memories ; while those who be- 
gan their use of the weekly class loosely, or 
fell into a fitful and unpunctual observance of 
it, have been seen to pass over the border of 
world liness, one after another, and to sink into 
cloudy regions where at last they have shown 
the sad results of throwing themselves open to 
the world by neglecting spiritual culture in 
regulated fellowship." * 

Elsewhere in this volume I have shown that 
the class-meeting has commended itself to 
thoughtful persons of other denominations. 

* Class-meetings in Relation to Methodism. 



280 The Class Leader. 

The following remarks of a minister of anoth- 
er Church show how important for the nur- 
ture of converts are such meetings in the 
estimation of earnest Christians who are not 
Methodists. The writer is not speaking of 
class-meetings, but only of training converts. 
He says : — 

" How are all the ends contemplated in this 
process of training best reached ? That, so far 
as methods are concerned, must be left to the 
judgment of the individual pastor. But this 
much may be said, whatever the methods se- 
lected ; they must be discriminating, specific, 
personal in their character. Preaching will do 
something, the freer form of lecture-room ad- 
dress will do more, but neither are adequate to 
the exigencies of the case. As a general rule, 
no expedient has proved more efficient than the 
plan of convert classes, meeting week by week, 
and following the Socratic method of question 
and answer. Personal views are thus elicited, 
and personal misapprehensions corrected, while 
each secures the benefit of the experience of all 



The Care of Converts. 281 

the rest. Until experience shows some better 
method to be practicable, this must stand as 
the most serviceable, the fullest of promise, and 
ordinarily the richest in results of any that has 
yet been tried."* 

What a testimony is this, given unwitting- 
ly, to the value of an institution which Meth- 
odism has incorporated into the center of its 
system ! 

Other denominations have found that some- 
thing besides the regular services of the Church 
is needful for the training of converts, and 
they sometimes adopt for this purpose a means 
equivalent to the class-meeting, as the writer 
just quoted shows. But they suffer the dis- 
advantage of its not belonging to their pol- 
ity, and of its use being regarded perhaps by 
some among them as an innovation ; whereas 
Methodists enjoy the advantage of its being 
a regular and essential part of the Church's 
machinery. Others employ it fitfully and 

* Rev. E. S. Atwood, Salem, Mass., in Fish's " Hand- 
Book of Revivals," pp. 389-90. 



282 The Class Leader. 

irregulany, for special purposes, and on occa- 
sions of exigence ; we have it constantly, every 
week of every year, conducted by an approved 
Leadership. What a superiority over others 
does this give us in the nurture of converts ! 

Perhaps the best thing that other denomina- 
tions can do is to form " converts' classes," be- 
cause they have no others into which they can 
introduce them. With Methodists it is dif- 
ferent. And as one of the objects of the 
"converts' class," as used by non-Methodists, 
is to give to each " the benefit of the experi- 
ence of all the rest," we can best secure that 
end by placing the converts where they shall 
hear the experiences of veterans in the service, 
and of those who are in the various stages of 
Christian progression, as well as of those who 
are novitiates in Christianity. • The young dis- 
ciple needs the sympathy and assistance of class- 
mates who have passed through the initial temp- 
tations and experiences of the Christian life, and 
he should not be deprived of such an advantage 
by being appointed to meet exclusively with those 



The Care of Converts. 283 

who are on the same plane of experience 
with himself. " Beginners in the Christian life 
need the assistance of maturer Christian experi- 
ence to help them out of the practical difficul- 
ties with which they find themselves face to 
face."* 

Besides this, the introduction of new con- 
verts into a class composed of persons of longer 
experience is a blessing to it. Their simplicity 
of spirit and freshness of religious feeling will 
quicken the members, and thrill them with 
a sweeter joy. Such additions are quite sure 
to be corrective of apathy and monotony in 
the meetings. 

But it is often said the existing classes are 
sufficiently large, and therefore no more should 
be added. If this is really so ought they not 
to be divided to make room for the converts ? 
I doubt, however, if there is not frequently an 
undue fear of numbers. I know originally 
there were "about twelve persons in a class, 
one of whom was styled the Leader." But this 

* The Rev. E. S. Atwood. 



284 The Class Leader. 

rule is practically obsolete. How many classes 
are regulated by it ? Experience has demon- 
strated that a larger number is needful to main- 
tain what may be called the esprit de corps, or 
in other words, the spirit and mutual animation 
of the members. 

There can be only two valid objections urged 
against large classes. The first is, that the 
Leader may not be able to give to each member 
the necessary personal attention and over- 
sight ; and the other, that he cannot furnish so 
many with the requisite amount of advice in 
the class-room without improperly protracting 
the meeting. On the other hand, it can be 
affirmed that some Leaders, though engaged 
in business, by forethought, system, and dili- 
gence, do give all the personal supervision 
necessary, and by the exercise of mental agility 
and tact in the class-room hear all, and make 
the necessary replies within a reasonable time, 
with sixty or more members. Then there is 
the enthusiasm of numbers, the enlarged sym- 
pathy, power of song, and greater variety of 



The Care of Converts. 285 

experience and expression, that pertain to large 
classes. 

The most influential classes and interesting 
class-meetings with which I have been ac- 
quainted have had the advantage of consider- 
able numbers. I am confident that the classes 
which constitute a conspicuous and charm- 
ing feature of the Church of my present pas- 
torate in Jersey City are not damaged by their 
size. I think their value would be diminished 
should they be materially reduced. They have 
become large, too, chiefly by the addition of 
converts. 

Father Reeves was Leader of a class of eighty 

members. " It has often been a matter of 

surprise," says one who well knew his method, 

" that he could manage so large a class and do 

justice. It was immense labor, certainly, but 

he knew his work, and, with much tact and 

skill, he always acquitted himself well. His 

soul held close communion with his God; 

therefore bustle and hurry he could not endure. 

Serene, calm, and collected, with much fervor 
19 



2S6 The Class Leader. 

of spirit, and abundance of material carefully 
arranged in a well-disciplined mind, he could 
as well meet sixty members as six. Our meet- 
ings were always orderly and quiet — never dull. 
In some of our prayer-meetings, when rich 
blessings have been given, and many penitents 
set at liberty, there was no confusion." Says 
his biographer: "When his members were 
at the highest, before one of the later divis- 
ions of the Sunday class, conversation had 
arisen in the Lambeth Leaders' meeting re- 
specting very large classes. Father Reeves 
did not always defend his position on the in- 
stant as fully as he might have done ; but on 
this occasion, as on others, he went home, 
thought, and wrote. And here is the statement 
and defense: — 

" ' It has been said, at our Leaders' meeting, 
ana very reasonably, too, when they considei 
the number of members (eighty) in my Sunday 
class, that it is impossible the end of class-meet- 
ing can be answered. Now what is the end of 
class-meeting ? 



The Cart of Converts. 287 

"'That the members may be instructed to 

know their lost state by sin. 

" ' That they may be led into a state of 
justification by faith in the blood of Jesus, and 
feel the spirit of adoption enabling them to cry 
"Abba, Father," without a doubt. 

" ' That they may be led on to perfect love, 
to holiness of heart and life, till they are made 
meet for glory. 

" ' Now let me say to my beloved friends, (and 
I do indeed say it as a fool,) let them take out 
of that class twenty members, whom they will, 
and compare them with any other twenty mem- 
bers from another class in Lambeth, and see 
if they do not come up to the above standard 
as fully as those who have been fed with the 
finest wheat, although we have been, like Daniel 
and his three brethren, fed upon pulse.' 

"This was no empty boasting, nor does it 
evidence to those who knew the man any feel- 
ing contrary to humility : but he loved his mem- 
bers and was jealous of their honor." 

Though a mechanic, working every day at 



2$8 The Class Leader. 

his trade, and having several classes to caie 
for, this remarkable Leader somehow managed 
to fully meet the requirements of his office. 
He, however, gives the secret of his being able 
to accomplish so much work as Leader. " To 
be a Christian," he says, " and yet to have no 
control over business, I do not understand. I 
have been more than twenty-five years a 
Leader, and yet, though I have business, I 
never missed once through business, and 
never should while I have two such swift 
helpmates as 'Forethought* and l Redeeming 
the Time! " 

The fact, therefore, that the classes are 
large, ought not to prevent the admission of 
converts. " In some of our city churches," 
says Mr. Richards, "there are classes where 
seventy persons are enrolled as members, and 
a large majority attend. It is probable that 
such meetings are as profitable and interest- 
ing to all attendants as any of the smaller 
classes would be." * 



The Care of Converts. 289 

The question of the size of classes, however, 
is one about which there will be differences of 
opinion, and it is certain that they ought not to 
be too large. When, therefore, there is an in- 
gathering of souls, and the existing classes are 
believed to contain so many members that 
the formation of new ones is necessary for 
the accommodation of probationers, let not the 
latter be placed by themselves ; but let the 
classes be reconstructed, and the converts suit- 
ably placed in class-fellowship among their 
more experienced brethren. Mr. Richards says 
justly : " For the purposes of an interesting 
and profitable meeting, and the present and 
future growth of the members, we think 
young and old of both sexes should usually 
meet in the same class ; " and the Rev. C. M. 
Morse, Jun., says, with equal discretion, " Take 
the young converts into the regular class-meet- 
ings, and nurse them." * 

After they have been placed in the classes 
the responsibility of the Leader begins. It is 

* Letter to the author. 



290 The Class Leader. 

a delicate and weighty task to watch over the 
trembling footsteps of those who have but just 
begun to walk in the way of life. It has 
been said that it is well for a Christian to be 
afraid that he may backslide, because the rec- 
ognition of the possibility of such a disaster, 
and the consequent dread of it, will incite him 
to watchfulness against it. On the same prin- 
ciple a Leader should fear for his probationers. 
He should not contemplate the possibility of 
their making " shipwreck of faith and of a good 
conscience" without shuddering, for such a 
wreck is woe unspeakable. 

A long time ago, at a preaching place where 
many converts had been gathered, an old 
Christian took up the class-paper, and, on 
" reading the long list of accessions to the 
Church, burst into a flood of tears, exclaiming, 
* Ah, what a falling off to come P " * The bare 
thought of the possibility of such a calamity is 
indeed enough to turn the eyes into " a fount- 
ain of tears." It, too, should awaken a firm 

* Christian Advocate, June 16, 1837. 



The Care of Converts. 29 t 

purpose in the Leader to avert such a re- 
sult, in so far as he can, by faithful watch- 
care. There can be no doubt that timely 
and adequate nurture will prevent any large 
" falling off." 

There is far too much faithlessness respect- 
ing converts. When they enter the Church in 
considerable numbers, it is too commonly ex- 
pected that defection will soon thin their ranks. 
So it will, if they are not sheltered from the 
storms. But if the Church, and especially the 
class, is made a warm and pleasant fold for 
the lambs of the flock, in most cases they 
will live and thrive. 

The history of our Church demonstrates 
this truth. It has continued to steadily and 
rapidly increase in numbers notwithstanding 
the doleful cry has rung through the land, 
that the fruit of Methodist revivals, though 
brilliant as gardens of flowers gemmed with 
morning dew, is quite as evanescent. Its 
ranks have been constantly thinning to aug- 
ment the ranks of the Church triumphant 



292 The Class Leader. 

Expulsions and withdrawals are constantly 
depleting the membership, and the vacancies 
must be filled by additions from the world. 
After repairing the losses caused by death 
and sin — losses not peculiar to one denomi- 
nation — there has nearly every year been 
a large surplusage to swell the hosts of our 
Zion. How could this be if apostasy makes 
such havoc of our probationers, as some have 
proclaimed ? 

A leading religious newspaper published, 
some time ago, a statement to the effect that 
a vast proportion, seven eighths, I think, of 
Methodist probationers are not received into 
full membership. I called the attention of its 
editors to the manifest error, and cited them 
for its refutation to the growth of Methodism in 
a hundred years — a growth unparalleled in the 
history of modern Christianity. I said to one 
of those gentlemen, that if the statement were 
true it would necessitate the admission that the 
Methodist Episcopal Church alone, to have 
reached its numerical magnitude by saving 



The Care of Converts. 293 

only such a fraction of its probationers must 
have had the whole nation on probation. That 
journal promptly corrected its error. Such ex- 
travagantly fallacious pictures of the failure of 
Methodism to protect and keep its converts 
show their own deceptiveness. 

Still it must be confessed that there is 
too much backsliding, and consequent loss of 
probationers, following our revivals. This ca- 
lamity is often the result of the guilty care- 
lessness of those who are intrusted with the 
care of converts. Faithful and gentle nursing 
wi]l generally avert it. But if neglected, and left 
without sympathy and instruction, they are like- 
ly to fall out as precipitantly as they came in. 
" I know a society where, during the winter of 
1 '842-3, there was a large number admitted on 
probation who were afterward dropped because 
they neglected to meet in class, who never re- 
ceived a visit from either Leader or preacher ! " * 
Such unfeeling indifference must always be 
disastrous. 

* The Rev. T: Spicer in " Christian Advocate." 



294 The Class Leader. 

A Leader, writing respecting the care of 
converts, says : " I feel the responsibility of a 
Class Leader. I feel that these souls are in 
my keeping. I do feel that all Class Leaders 
need to be in earnest." * Says Dr. Branson : 
" If he is wise who wins souls to Christ, he is 
twice wise who retains them." Earnestness 
and wisdom are, indeed, required in Leaders for 
this vital work of convert-nurture. 

The veteran preacher just quoted says : "The 
rearing of young children requires tender care. 
Their food must be of a suitable character ; 
babes must have milk, not strong meat. So 
of young converts. Like young children, 
they require to be fed often, and on that which 
nourishes spiritual life." t 

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep;" "feed my 
lambs ;" "that is, act toward them the part of 
the shepherd, — guiding them, protecting them, 
nourishing them, — this is a command to all 
Christian Leaders. And we question whether 

* Henry P. Price, Rock Falls, Illinois. Letter to author. 
f The Rev. Dr. Brunson. Letter. 



The Care of Converts. 295 

the Churches yet fairly begin to apprehend 
the duty of bestowing culture upon the young 
members of the flock — the lambs of Jesus. 
From this cause half the benefit of revivals is 
lost. 

" The force of this thought is enhanced by 
considering that the convert is in the ductile, 
shapable period. The wax is now warm, and 
readily takes the seal ; the clay is moist, and 
the hand of the potter may form it as he wills. 
There is but one convert-period, as there is but 
one child-period ; and whatever is done then to 
mold the character will exert a far more de- 
cisive influence than any thing done at a future 
period ; and upon the counsels and directions 
which an individual receives at such a moment 
depends, in a very great degree, the amount of 
good which he is to accomplish during his 
whole life."* 

One of the best means for the growth and 
safety of converts, is to keep them employed. 
A bishop of our Church recently gave a narra- 

* " Hand-book of Revivals." By Henry C. Fish, D. D. 



296 The Class Leader. 

tion of severe labors through which he had just 
gone, and said that with him work is a means 
of grace. And the remark is verily true. Ac- 
tivity is the law of life, of spiritual equally with 
physical life. Converts should be kept so busy 
for the Master that they will not have time to 
backslide, or even to think of it. 

" In religion," says an authority, " they who 
work the most for God, grow most in grace. 
Hence those who, being often in the house of 
God, and especially in the prayer and class- 
meeting and the Sunday-school, in the work of 
which they participate — speak and pray, how- 
ever small the effort may be, will find them- 
selves improving, their peace of mind widening 
and deepening." * 

Says another : " It would be absurd to let a 
child grow up in ignorance and then demand a 
dissertation on mathematics or astronomy. Our 
members must be taken when weak and igno- 
rant, and educated to be workmen that need 
not be ashamed."! 

* Dr. Brunson. Letter, f Rev. C. M. Morse, Jun. Letter 



The Care of Converts. 297 

They should be taught that "God requires 
of his people that they shall gladly take up 
every cross and perform every known duty. 
Particularly their attention should be called 
to the necessity of rebuking sin, of constant 
prayer, and of witnessing for Jesus at every 
opportunity." * 

Says the Rev. E. S. Atwood, " Give every 
convert from the start something to do, suiting 
the work to the talents and opportunities of the 
individual. Insist upon it that no drones can 
live in the Christian hive." 

A Leader writes of his method with new 
disciples : " With regard to young converts I 
have adopted this plan : To teach them as soon 
as possible that it is their duty to attend to all 
the means of grace, and at all times to take 
part in them. I tell them that every time they 
neglect the class or prayer-meeting it is sure 
to weaken them. Our Tuesday-night prayer- 
meeting for young people is always well attend- 
ed, and that meeting has been, I think, one of 

* Rev. C. M. Morse, Jun. Letter. 



298 The Class Leader. 

the very best means of keeping them. Ai y 
one, out of some forty or fifty, is willing to open 
the meeting. Some make crooked prayers, but 
God can straighten them ; and I know that this 
meeting is daily growing in earnestness. I 
have endeavored to instruct all my young class- 
mates that they must not be idlers in the vine- 
yard of the Lord, and I will say, and I give God 
the glory, that all who do work cheerfully are 
growing in grace." * 

It is difficult to retain converts, or to ren- 
der them of much use to the Church, unless 
they keep the joy of religion. If religion does 
not make them happy they will seek happi- 
ness in something else. So great is the thirst 
of the young for bliss, they will strive for its 
gratification. When they find the Christian 
profession a restraint, and not a delight, they 
will commonly cast it off. They will not carry 
the yoke except they " find rest to their souls." 
The constant and prayerful aim of their in- 

* Henry P. Price, Rock Falls, Illinois. Letter to the 
author. 



The Care of Converts. 299 

structors ought to be, therefore, to promote 
their spiritual blessedness. 

But this cannot be done unless they work 
for Christ. Their fervor will surely fail if it 
is not fed by activity. Their faith will wane 
without exercise. Their beautiful hope will 
vanish like a rainbow dissolved in clouds if they 
do not keep under the beams of the Sun of 
Righteousness. And he only shines on those 
who work. No counsel or comfort that a Leader 
can give them will avail any thing unless they 

" Toil in the vineyard here, and bear 
The heat and burden of the day." 

There is as inseparable a relation between serv- 
ice rendered to Jesus, and religious joy, as 
there is between taking physical exercise and 
the exhilaration of health. If the convert would 
be happy he must talk for his Saviour, try 
to induce others to love him, and, in the best 
way he can, employ his time and talents for 
his glory. Then there will not be any com 
plaint of leanness, but his peace will be " as a 
river." 



3oo The Class Leader. 

Speaking of new disciples, the Rev. C. M. 
Morse says : " Organize them at once for work. 
It is the Christian's greatest safeguard. Have 
a young converts' prayer-meeting. See that 
each one attends and that each one prays. 
After the first timidity has worn off, a wonder- 
ful growth in grace and in power will be mani- 
fest. It has been found very beneficial in many 
instances, after a short prayer from each, to 
have every one present speak a word for 
Jesus." * 

Converts should especially be preserved from 
irreligious society. The spirit of worldliness is 
fatal to their religious growth, and the Leader 
should endeavor to keep them from its influ- 
ence. Multitudes of promising young Chris- 
tians have been injured, and many others 
ruined, through evil company. The early ex- 
perience of Dr. Brunson is here pertinent 
"When I was young," he says, "the fascina- 
tions of youthful company and amusements 
was my chief besetting sin, and kept me sev- 

* Letter to the author. 



The Care of Converts. 301 

eral years from seeking the Saviour, though 
under conviction most of the time. Nor could 
I, nor did I, yield to be saved by grace till I 
severed myself from such associations. The 
charm once broken, I sought the company of 
the aged, the grave, the pious. I read only 
such books as tended to the knowledge and love 
of God. I went to my closet three times a day. 
I attended every preaching, prayer, and class- 
meeting within reach — Sunday-schools were not 
known then — and took such part in their exer- 
cises as were fitting for me ; the result was, I 
grew in grace and in the knowledge of the 
truth, and in less than nine months I obtained 
the evidence of sanctification ; and had I been 
better informed on the subject I might have 
obtained it sooner. And now, in my eighty- 
second year, and the sixty-sixth of my religious 
pilgrimage, I see no cause to change my views 
on holy living, and training young converts for 
heaven." Beginners in religion should be en- 
couiaged to imitate such examples. The Church 

should see that they have pleasant Christian 
20 



302 The Class Leader. 

associations, and should guard them from the in- 
sidious enticements of a vain and illusive world. 

The Leader needs to cultivate his own spirit- 
ual experience in order that he may be able to 
guide and nourish the lambs committed to his 
care. He must take heed to himself and to his 
doctrine, that he may save both himself and 
them. Addressing Leaders on this subject, 
Ira Norris, of Hudson, Ohio, says : " If you are 
formal and cold-hearted, the young and tender 
babes in Christ will be brought to a level with 
yourself, and they will never come to a full 
age for want of nursing fathers and nursing 
mothers. Very likely they will die a spiritual 
death, and the Leader will complain to the 
preacher of the misconduct or neglect of the 
young members, without conversing with them 
plainly and taking them by the hand and lead- 
ing them along. The lambs are not warmed 
and fed."* 

The words of Bishops Coke and Asbury are 
here strikingly apposite. " We have almost 

* "Christian Advocate," March 17, 1841. 



The Care of Converts. 303 

constantly observed," say they, " that when a 
Leader is dull, or careless, or inactive, the class 
is, in general, languid ; but, on the contrary, 
when the Leader is much alive to God, and 
faithful in his office, the class is also, in general, 
lively and spiritual." How important, then, is 
the spirituality of the Leadership to the nurture 
of converts. 

The newly saved ones, who are introduced 
into the classes, should be loved. How Jesus 
enjoined upon his disciples the exercise of 
mutual affection ! " Love one another," he 
said, "as I have loved you." The "disciple 
whom Jesus loved," and who leaned on his 
bosom, said, " We ought also to lay down our 
lives for the brethren." What yearning and 
solicitude, such as only love could excite, do 
the letters of St. Paul breathe for those under 
his guidance. A Church or a class that is 
without love is hollow and worthless, and its 
services are but " sounding brass and a tinkling 
cymbal." It were as reasonable to expect that 
p tender babe would live and grow without 



304 The Class Leader. 

milk, as that converts will prosper in a class 
where they get no love. If the Leader cannot 
love them he should not attempt their nur- 
ture, for that requires that he bear them on 
his heart and enshrine them in his affections. 
If he love them he will not permit them to 
suffer for lack of attention, sympathy, and 
counsel. 

All Leaders having the care of probation- 
ers should aid them in the. culture of their 
minds, which, quickened by the inspiration of 
a new life, crave knowledge. It is highly im-. 
portant that they be encouraged to read and 
to think, and to form correct mental habits, 
while in the freshness of that inspiration. 
Intelligent piety every religious teacher should 
seek to promote, and there is no way of doing 
it so fruitful of results as that of assisting 
young Christians to right methods for mental 
improvement. Encourage them, especially, to 
study the Bible ; particularly, at first, those 
portions that are eloquent with the lofty and 
glowing conceptions of seer and psalmist and 



The Care of Converts. 305 

rich with the experiences of saints of old. 
Warn them against frivolous and dissipating 
reading. Let the books and periodicals to 
which they are directed be such as will con- 
duce to a healthy life, both spiritual and intel- 
lectual. Books adapted to their condition and 
wants should be placed in their hands either by 
gift, loan, or sale. Volumes for converts need 
to be multiplied by our Publishing House, and 
Leaders should see that they reach the persons 
for whom they are designed. 

A Converts' Library would be highly service- 
able in this training. One or two hundred 
dollars wisely expended for attractive books, 
suited to stimulate and enrich the minds and 
souls of the probationers, and to which they all 
could have weekly access, would be one of the 
best and most productive investments a Church 
could make. It would be sowing seed that 
would bring forth bountiful harvests. It would 
be casting "bread upon the waters," which 
would be found "after many days." It would 
be an efficient means of promoting their growth 



306 The Class Leader. 

in grace, and their knowledge of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and it would contribute to the stability 
and symmetry of their Christian character, and 
to their influence and usefulness in the Church 
and in the world. 

Finally. The Leader should never permit 
nimself to lose sight of his responsibility for the 
care and safety of Christ's lambs, placed by the 
Church in his charge. By his acceptance of the 
sacred trust he has bound himself to be faithful 
to it. Whether they shall perish, or reach a 
happy maturity, depends largely on the nurture 
he gives them. If they become faint, and he 
do not animate them — perplexed, and he do 
not try to solve their perplexities — tempted, 
and he offer them no succor — troubled, and he 
do not comfort them — if they stumble and he 
attempt not their recovery — who can wonder if 
they are lost. Let it be his delightful care to 
guard the lambs from danger and to ever lead 
them " into green pastures." 



CJrildreu, and Childrens Classes. 307 



CHAPTER XVII. 

CHILDREN, AND CHILDREN'S CLASSES. 

CELEBRATED German professor is 
reported to have said : — 

" Whenever I appear before my pupils I feel 
like making my most respectful bow, and that I 
ought to pay them my respects." 

" Why ? " asked a friend. 

" Because I see before me the men of the 
State and of the age." 

With a similar feeling the Church should 
look upon children. They are its future men 
and women. From them are to come its pas- 
tors, leaders, teachers, and members. They 
are to form its families and to manage all its 
enterprises. In fine, the childhood of to-day 
will make the Church what it shall be in the 
near future. 

With what profound interest and solicitude, 
then, ought the Church to watch over its chil- 



308 The Class Leader. 

dren ! " With what tender love and unwearying 
pains should it nurse them ! How earnestly 
should it present them before the mercy-seat! 
At whatever cost of time, thought, labor, or 
money, it should seek to instruct and train 
them for their future service and solemn re- 
sponsibilities. 

The grave and pernicious error, so long and 
widely prevalent, that the very interesting 
and important period of childhood should be 
passed without religion, and that only when 
persons come to mature years should they 
be rescued from sin and Satan, is nearly ex- 
ploded in theory, but not sufficiently in prac- 
tice. A withered flower, whose sweetness has 
exhaled, might be accepted if it were the only 
gift which love could offer ; but how much 
more fitting for that love to bestow is one 
whose fresh petals have just revealed their 
beauty and perfume. So when a heart has 
been blighted by sin, and the fragrance of its 
innocence has vanished, and it is all that can 
be given to the Saviour, he will receive it ; but 



Children, and Children s Classes. 309 

it were far better to offer it to him ere sin has 
defiled its loveliness. 

" A flower, when offered in the bud, 
Is no vain sacrifice." 

" Suffer the little children to come unto me." 

The religious principle and graces require 
sedulous culture in childhood. " A woman asked 
her gardener why the weeds always outgrew 
and covered up the flowers ? 

" ' Madam,' " he answered, " ' the soil is the 
mother of weeds, but only step-mother of the 
flowers.' " 

So with a child's heart. It has inherited evil 
tastes, impulses, and principles. These are 
native to it, as the weeds are to the soil. To 
it spiritual graces are exotics. Therefore they 
will not grow spontaneously. Careful and per- 
severing culture is requisite to their vigor and 
perfection. How, then, should the Church, 
with prayer and loving labor, cultivate the 
dimmest and feeblest manifestations of spiritual 
life in its children ! 

Our Church has recognized its responsibility 



310 The Class Leader. 

and duty in this matter. It requires that 
suitable attention shall be given to the religious 
training of childhood in all its societies. It 
has placed in its Discipline a plan for the for- 
mation of classes of baptized children " of ten 
years or younger ;" it also provides that children 
who have not been baptized shall be admit- 
ted ; it requires that Leaders be appointed 
over these classes ; and it further provides that 
when such children are recommended by a 
Leader with whom they have met six months 
in class, they shall be received into full mem- 
bership in the Church. 

The argument which is presented in the pre- 
ceding chapter in behalf of converts being ad- 
mitted into classes of experienced Christians, 
applies with nearly equal force to children. I 
question if it be wisest to put them by them- 
selves. Should not the youngest lambs be 
allowed the freedom of the same pastures with 
the rest of the flock ? 

If older disciples need the aid of the experi- 
ences of mature Christians, equally so do the 



Children, and Children s Classes. 311 

children. They have every thing to learn in 
experimental and practical godliness. Their 
imaginative minds are alert at the recital of 
narratives and incidents by older persons. The 
relation of experiences in the class-meeting 
by intelligent Christians is, therefore, an indis- 
pensable means for their best religious training. 
Far better instruction in the highest things will 
they thus derive, because of its adaptation to 
their taste and understanding, than from any 
didactic teaching whatsoever. 

Yet, notwithstanding this, the provision of 
the Discipline is wise. It is intended for very 
young children — " ten years or younger'* It 
does not require that those beyond that age 
be formed into such classes. They, of course, 
it supposes, will be placed with the adults. 
But no invariable rule can be established. 
Many under ten can profitably meet with 
older Christians, while others beyond that age 
may, by force of circumstances, have to be 
provided for in the children's class or not 
at all 



312 The Class Leader. 

As most of the adult classes meet at an hour 
when it is impracticable for the majority of 
those who are of a tender age to attend, their 
needs can be best met by the child's class. As 
soon, however, as circumstances warrant, they 
should be promoted to the regular classes, 
where they will receive larger nurture. 

There is one advantage of the children's 
class which is important. The attention of 
the Leader is devoted exclusively to them. 
He has none but the little ones to watch 
over and provide for. He thinks and de- 
vises for them. He, like the great Shepherd, 
carries " the lambs in his bosom," and nestles 
them near his heart. His is an office of pecul- 
iar sacredness and beauty. 

There should be provision by which the little 
ones can, at stated times, hear the adult Chris- 
tians relate their experience and participate in 
their goodly fellowship, even though they do not 
go to the regular class-meeting. This provision 
is furnished by the general class and love-feasts. 
I was taken from my early childhood by my 



Children and Children's Classes. 313 

parents to the quarterly love-feast ; and how 
vivid in my memory are some of those scenes 
of thirty years ago. To my ear "the old, old 
story" was new, and full of fresh interest. I well 
remember the falling tear, the tender words, the 
tremulous voice sweetly musical, the plaintive 
song, the exultant chorus, the shout of rapture, 
the swelling emotion that swept in melting tides 
over the assembly, and the forms, both youth- 
ful and venerable, that are now in the grave. 

My father stands before me now, distinct to 
my mind's eye as he was then to my child-eye, 
in one of those love-feasts. His position is 
near the altar of the old church. He is speaking 
of his experience in a love-feast twenty years be- 
fore, and asks, "Where shall I be twenty ) ears 
hence ?" I hear his thrilling tones, and I see his 
triumphant attitude, as he points to the grave- 
yard near and exclaims, " Ah ! my head will 
then lie beneath the clods of the valley. But 
when I die, should it be to-day, I shall live for- 
ever." Soon afterward he went up to "the 
bright forever," saying as he rose, " Good-bye." 



314 The Class Leaded. 

Expunge from my mind the effect of the 
memories and impressions of those scenes of 
childhood, and I am another man. Their influ- 
ence largely shapes my thoughts and feelings, 
my writing and my speech, at this hour. Nor 
can the Church to-day afford to deprive its 
children of such means for inspiring and en- 
nobling their lives. Let them go to the love- 
feasts and to the general class-meetings, and 
there learn how to live and how to die. 

A Leader of a children's class in the West 
has kindly sent me an account of the working 
of the general class, to which the children are 
admitted in the Church to which he belongs. 
He says : — 

"We have the five adult classes meet the 
first Sunday of each month in general class, as 
they did yesterday morning, [August 2, 1874,] 
and my children's class is gathered in. I was 
glad to see so many of my children present — 
on count there were sixty-five. We had a 
glorious meeting. The children's voices aided 
very much in the sweetness of the singing. 



Children and Children's Classes. 315 

The presence of the children stimulated many 
of the adults to speak ivcll, giving good advice 
and encouraging words. Had it not been for 
my children's class there would not have been 
a dozen children present. In our other Church- 
es here, on general class occasions, children do 
not attend. The interest is greatly promoted 
by having general class once a month, and hav- 
ing the children present. The child-like faith 
of the little ones proves a lesson to grown peo- 
ple. The Lord will bless all such meetings."* 
Children ought to be taught that it is their 
privilege and duty to attend the regular serv- 
ices. . It is not sufficient that they go to the 
special meetings which we have considered 
and attend class. They also should go regu- 
larly to the house of God, and join in his wor- 
ship, and hear his word read and expounded. 
Their interest in the preaching may be en- 
hanced by frequently asking them to give the 
text of the sermon, and to repeat some thought 
or illustration which it contained. 
* J. H. V. Smith. 



316 The Class Leader. 

It is sad that children are so generally remiss 
in this duty. Notwithstanding all the benefits 
of the Sabbath-school, it is to be feared that it 
works injury also in causing parents to think 
that attendance at its sessions is sufficient ex- 
cuse for their children's absence from public 
worship. The school is an auxiliary of the 
Church, not a substitute for it ; and if the 
child can attend but one, the Church ought, 
by all means, to have preference. The Lead- 
ers of children's classes should make this duty 
prominent in their instruction to their young 
members. The whole Church, indeed, should 
awake to this subject, and strive to train up a 
generation who shall be worshipers on the 
Lord's day in his house. 

The Sunday-school, however, may be rendered 
a highly serviceable means of promoting the 
class-meeting instruction of the children. An 
illustration of this is afforded by the follow- 
ing narrative, kindly furnished me by the Rev. 
Dr. De Puy, associate editor of the " Christian 
Advocate," in regard to his method of encour- 



Children and Childreii's Classes. 317 

aging this sort of religious training while in 
charge of St. John's Sunday-school, Brooklyn, 
New York, " one of the largest, best regulated, 
md most successful Sabbath-schools in the 
whole Church." 

" Our school," he writes, " numbered on regis- 
ter over eleven hundred pupils, many of them 
from among the best families in that portion of 
the city. They were in charge of about eighty 
teachers. How shall we best lead the children 
to Christ ? was one of the chief questions kept 
constantly before the Teachers' Meeting. We 
talked over the ,matter, and prayed over it to- 
gether, until our hearts were charged with it as 
a special care. This was a great point gained. 
Each teacher felt the pressure of his privilege 
and duty to ask his pupils to give their hearts 
to the Saviour now, and the conversations with 
them which were thus incited, with their pre- 
cious fruits, may not be fully revealed this side 
the better land. 

"A special class, to meet immediately after 

the close of each session of the school, was 
21 



318 The Glass Leader. 

provided, and placed under the leadership of 
one of the most devoted, sympathetic, and 
winning hearts to be found in the Sunday- 
school board. Into this class every serious- 
minded pupil was sent by his teacher as soon 
as there was manifested the least desire for 
piety. The whole work was quietly done. 
Nothing was said concerning the matter be- 
fore the school. No list of names was read 
before either the school or class. But each 
Sunday afternoon, on dismissal of the school, 
such pupils as had been selected by the teachers 
immediately repaired to the private room as- 
signed for the Children's Class. Individual in- 
struction and devotions followed. Every meet- 
ing was a revival service. The young hearts 
were led to Jesus. 

" I need not say that the children willingly 
continued their attendance ; they loved the 
services. In due time the Leader and superin- 
tendent recommended those who remained 
faithful as suitable persons for record in the 
lists of Church membership. Said the father 



Children a?id Children's Classes. 319 

of one of those children to me afterward : ' Both 
my boy and myself will thank you in heaven 
for that Children's Class-meeting ;' and several 
notes were sent me by other parents expressive 
of their grateful appreciation of special class 
services, by means of which their little ones had 
been led to Jesus. It was a precious work." 

The instruction given to the little ones in class 
should be rudimentary and fundamental. They 
should be taught the alphabet of Christianity. 
God's love of the world, and his gift of his 
Son to be a Saviour and Mediator ; the privilege 
of coming to God by him ; the duty of trusting, 
loving, and obeying him ; the cultivation of gen- 
tle and forgiving tempers, and of maintaining a 
habit of prayer, should all be presented with a 
simplicity adapted to their intelligence, and in 
a manner suited to win their attention and 
awaken their interest. 

The description of his child's class, and his 
way of conducting it, by the Leader last quoted, 
will fittingly close this chapter : — 

"The past six years I have been a Leader of 



320 The Class Leader. 

a children's class, and the class has failed to 
meet but twice in all that time, once on ac- 
count of a fearful storm and once because of 
camp-meeting. The class is in Asbury Methodist 
Episcopal Church in this city, [Indianapolis.] 
We commenced with twelve members, and the 
number soon increased to fifty, and it has been 
as high as seventy-two ; this hot weather [July] 
we average fifty. It requires more preparation 
and variety to successfully keep up a children's 
class than it does a class of adults. We have 
children from six to fourteen years of age — all 
the baptized children of the Church that we 
can get, and quite a number besides. 

" In a year I suppose I have just fifty-two 
different methods of conducting this children's 
class. I always commence promptly at half 
past nine in the morning, and hold from thirty 
to forty-five minutes, according to circum- 
stances. This is the sure way of having full and 
good classes of adults. When these children 
grow to be men and women they will not fail 
to attend class, and they will always be ready 



Children and Children's Classes. 32 1 

to speak without embarrassment, as the Lord 
may bless them. 

" I will give seme idea of my method of 
leading children's class. Well, last Sunday I 
went in and shook hands with all that were 
present and those who afterward came, talking 
to them familiarly, and asking how the folks 
were at home, learning if any of the class were 
sick, etc. Then I call Maggie to the organ, as 
it is a bright, cheerful morning, and we sing, 
' Praise God.' I then call on Charles to make a 
short prayer ; he was taken out of a saloon 
four years since, and came into our class and 
was converted, and is now teacher of a class of 
boys in our Sunday-school ; he is fifteen years 
of age. Then Maggie plays and we sing, 

11 ' I am so glad that Jesus loves me.' 

Then I say, Stand up, one at a time, and al) 
give me a verse of Scripture, and I comment 
on the most pointed passages, taking up with 
this exercise from fifteen to twenty minutes. 
The pastor then comes in and makes a few 



322 The Class Leader. 

remarks, and we sing, and he dismisses the class 
with the benediction. Next Sunday I will 
read a few verses, ' As Moses lifted up the 
serpent/ etc., and make it plain and simplify it 
for the little ones. Maggie plays and we sing, 

" ' I will sing for Jesus.' 

Then I make a short prayer, and we sing, 

" 'Jesus loves me, this I know.' 

Then I state my experience of the past week, 
and have as many of the class to speak as will 
have time, and we close with the Lord's Prayer 
and so on, differing every Sunday." * 

* J. H. V. Smith, Indianapolis, Ind. Letter to tnc author. 



Training Christian Workers 323 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

TRAINING CHRISTIAN WORKERS. 

fHE urgent need of the world is Christian 
workers who can accomplish results. Not 
names, nor titles, nor parade, does it require, 
but achievement. This, also, the Master asks. 
" Herein is my Father glorified that ye bring 
forth much fruit." Successful work for God 
covers the worker with a glory which shall 
never vanish. " They that be wise shall shine 
as the brightness of the firmament ; and they 
that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for 
ever and ever." 

Worn, weary, and broken in health, one of 
the most eloquent and successful pulpit workers 
Dur Church has known, and one of the early 
secretaries of its Missionary Society, sat se- 
cluded in his retiracy at Trenton, and looked 
back over the scenes of his exhausting toils. 
Exhilarated by the retrospect, the soui of 



324 The Class Leader. 

Pitman sought to express itself in song, f;nd 
thus it caroled : — 

" I've labored long, I've labored hard, 
Yet have not toiled without reward ; 
Thousands of souls in mercy given 
Shall own my ministry in heaven." 

What earthly joy is comparable with the ex- 
quisite and profound delight of one who, hav- 
ing spent a life in religious service, can thus 
contemplate not only work done, but results 
achieved, and in the gathering shades of the 
eventide can shout, " I have not run in vain, 
neither labored in vain." 

To insure the largest success of Christian 
workers there must commonly be training. 
" The time is short." The work is great and 
pressing. "The night cometh when no man 
can work." How needful, therefore, that the 
hand of the worker have cunning, that it may 
dispatch the most in the little time allotted. 
To possess that cunning it must be trained. 
" Tt cannot be too often repeated that all ex- 
traordinary skill is the result of preparatory 



Training Christian Workers. 32$ 

training. Facility of every kind comes by labor. 
Nothing is easy, not even walking or reading, 
that was not difficult at first." * Practice itself 
is training. The fingers become dexterous by 
use. 

" We are not only to work, but to make the 
most of our power to work. The training may be 
very simple, and can seldom be elaborate ; for the 
work is to be done by those whose hands seem 
already full. It may be no more than placing 
the inexperienced in the company of the ex- 
perienced. Those who would nurse the sick 
can have the opportunity of a hospital. Those 
who would teach in a Sunday-school can have 
lectures and attend a training class. Those 
who would visit a district may be shown the 
most effective way. Such help and culture are 
possible without imposing a strain on such as 
are already overworked." f 

For training in religious labor the class- 
meeting affords special and priceless advantages. 

* " Getting on in the World," by William Matthews, LL.D 
\ Rev. W. F. Stevenson, at the Evangelical Alliance. 



326 The Class Leader. 

There the young, who stand at the entrance 
of their life-field, which stretches away full of 
invitingness before them, are taught that es- 
sential lesson for the Christian laborer, name- 
ly, to speak for Christ. Older disciples, too, are 
there incited to zeal and effort, and reminded 
that the day is waning, and are inured to bear- 
ing the cross, and become accustomed to " stand 
up for Jesus." The class-room is, indeed, the field 
of training for the workers of Methodism. Some 
of the most successful toilers "in the kingdom 
and patience of Jesus " would never have at- 
tained their glorious art but for the inspiration, 
the guidance, and the practice which the class- 
meeting afforded them. 

Very many successful winners of souls have, 
by means of this unique but powerful agency, 
been thrust forth into their work. Many of 
the past and present ministers of the Church 
would never have learned to speak publicly, nor 
become acquainted with their own gifts, had it 
not been for the class-meeting. It was in talk- 
ing there that their lips received the kindling 



Training Christian Workers. 327 

touch, and their tongues were trained to holy 
eloquence. Bishops Coke and Asbury say 
that the class-meetings are, " in a considerable 
degree, our universities for the ministry." In 
those universities the whole ministry of our 
Church received its initial culture, for the time 
has not been when a man could stand in a 
Methodist pulpit who did not reach it through 
the class-room ; and it is safe to say, that, judged 
by results, better universities for training minis- 
ters have not existed since the pentecostal age. 
Multitudes of Leaders have had the joy of 
seeing such heralds of salvation go forth from 
their classes. Many could give recitals like 
these : " Out of my class sprung five or six 
local preachers." * " For thirty years I have 
tried to lead a class, and during that time I have 
had the honor (I say it with all humility) of 
seeing four of my boys, as I have familiarly 
called them, become preachers of the Gospel."t 
Of one of the Presidents of the Wesleyan Con- 

* William Farnell. Letter. 

f P. Crane, Geneva, N. Y. Letter to the author. 



328 The Class Leader. 

ference, in England, the following interesting 
fact was inserted by Father Reeves in a memo- 
randum which he kept to show what became of 
his members. "Samuel D. Waddy. After 
meeting with me sixteen months, left to become 
a traveling preacher. November, 1825." How 
sublime is the work of the Leader who thus 
educates men for the ministry of reconciliation — 
men who, perchance, shall " shine as lights in 
the world." 

Never can I forget how, shortly after my 
conversion, a Leader yet living, in addressing 
me in the class, said, " Our prayer is that you 
may be a laborer in the vineyard." Thus should 
the Leader watch for indications of aptitude for 
the Church's work in his youthful members. 
Should he see signs of preaching power, ac- 
companied with suitable discretion and zeal, 
he should encourage its possessor to aim at 
the highest usefulness, and should also seek to 
guide his impulses and develop his gifts. He 
should counsel him to study the word of God, 
and such helps to a right understanding of it 



Training Christian Workers. 329 

as he can obtain ; to be much in prayer ; and 
to engage in such public exercises as he suita- 
bly may. 

The Leader ought also to direct the mind of 
such a young man to the importance of literary 
culture, and incite him to strive for its acqui- 
sition. If it be practicable, he should be in- 
duced to enter such an institution as will afford 
the needed facilities for such pursuits. If he 
lack the means to follow a course of study, let 
the Leader set about obtaining it for him from 
such friends as God hath prospered ; for what 
are a few hundred dollars compared to the ad- 
vantages resulting to the Church and the world 
from a life of service of "a faithful minister 
of Christ ? " Or, if the Leader possess money, 
let him assist him himself. He could scarcely 
exercise benevolence in a more grateful or pro- 
ductive way. I know a Leader who has just 
sent a youthful member of his class to a liter- 
ary institution at his own expense, that he may 
get the necessary intellectual furniture for the 
work of the ministry. 



330 The Class Leader. 

Among the most necessary and useful labor 
ers in the Church, next to the pastors, are 
those who sing and pray. Without them there 
could be, comparatively, but little aggressive 
work. The singing power of Methodism has 
always been conspicuous, and is a potent means 
for maintaining its vitality and promoting its 
revivals. " It was," says the Rev. S. W. Chris- 
topher, "in these happy scenes of weekly fel- 
lowship that Methodists learned to sing. There 
it was heart singing. And from those heavenly 
places there came every week those thrilling 
voices which inspired the multitudes, and gave 
a resistless power to the glorious hymns which 
arose throughout the united kingdom. For 
these Charles Wesley composed those deeply 
spiritual songs of mutual delight, and those tri- 
umphal hymns of love and full assurance, which 
form so large a section of the Methodist hym- 
nology." Again he says : " Without class-meet- 
ings songs like these would never have burst 
from Methodist lips ; without its class-meetings 
songs like these would necessarily die from the 



Trai7iing Christian Workers. 331 

lips of Methodism. They were made for a 
class-meeting people. And they fell from the 
pen of an author whose rich variety of Chris- 
tian fellowship songs prove that he could never 
conceive of Methodist Societies without such 
means of pouring spiritual melody into one 
another's hearts as the classes and Society 
meetings afford."* 

A young man who had recently left his home 
and native land wandered alone on a Sabbath 
morning in one of our pleasant American cities, 
and at length seated himself in a park. It was 
summer, and the voice of song, floating from 
the open windows of a church in the neighbor- 
hood, fell sweetly on his ear. Though a careless 
and wild youth, unaccustomed to religious wor- 
ship, the singing attracted him, and he arose 
and walked in the direction of it. It led him 
to a Methodist church, where some of the mem- 
bers were holding a prayer-meeting previously 
to the hour for public service. He entered 

* "Class Meetings, in Relation to the Design and Success 
of Methodism." 



332 The Class Leader. 

and was quickly convicted of sin. He asked 
the prayers of the people, and they at once 
responded, praying fervently for his salvation, 
and then and there he experienced the great 
transition from darkness into light. He re- 
mains to this day a devoted, happy, useful 
Christian. Almost innumerable have been the 
like instances of the saving influence of Meth- 
odist singing. 

The praying power of our people has also 
been largely developed in the class-meeting 
under the guidance of skillful Leaders. Mr. 
Farnell was accustomed to conclude his meet- 
ing at an hour which would enable* him to give 
two or three of his members an opportunity 
to lead in prayer before separating. "This," 
he says, "gave them courage to pray in pub- 
lic, which they never would have acquired 
elsewhere."* Says Mr. Christopher: "Many 
a raw, uncultivated lad has been led into the 
class-meeting under strong religious feeling. 
There, at first, he would scarcely have suf- 

* Letter. 



Training Christian Workers 333 

ficient command of his native tongue to in- 
telligibly express the feelings of his soul, 
and, perhaps, under ordinary circumstances, 
would never utter a pure or correct sentence ; 
but, unaccountably to all but those who ac- 
knowledge the work of a Divine teacher, that 
same lad, in his weekly intercourse with his 
Leader and classmates, begins to talk with 
propriety about spiritual things, and at length, 
by dint of exercise in sincere prayer, he learns 
to pray with the spirit and with the understand- 
ing also, and might gracefully and with holy 
effect lead the devotions of an intelligent and 
even educated congregation. The praying ranks 
of Methodism derive their most useful power 
from such trained recruits." 

Again the same authority says : " This re- 
serve of praying power is, in a great measure, 
peculiar to Methodism. No people have shown 
themselves so full of devotional gifts, and so 
possessed of prevalent energy among gathering 
crowds of earnest seekers. The rapidly grow- 
ing numbers who, from time to time, have 
22 



334 The Class Leader. 

pressed into the Societies, could never have 
been guided to the mercy-seat or permanently 
brought under saving grace but for this abun- 
dant spirit of prayer. This is essential to Meth- 
odist success. Where did this gift first show 
itself ? Where was the power first felt ? Where 
was the grace nurtured and by exercise brought 
up to its maturity? In the class-meeting. The 
class-meeting is the school for the development 
of its grace and expression of prayer." * 

A body of laborers peculiar to Methodism 
are the Class Leaders. A really good and 
efficient Leader is of untold value to a Church. 
His influence, constant as that of the atmos- 
phere, is, like it, healthful and invigorating. 
A Church cannot well languish which has a 
band of such devoted servants. Even should 
the pastor be weak and fail, they would keep 
the ensign flying, and the host in order. The 
Methodist Church well knows how useful and 
necessary to her weal are these gifted workers. 
It cannot dispense with them. Yet, "under 

* " Class Meetings," etc. 



Training Christian Workers. 335 

Divine grace, they have all been the fruit of 
class-meetings." 

A Leader gives an experience touching this 
point which is similar to that which could be 
given by very many others. " For some years," 
he says, " I had the training and advantage of 
sitting every week under the instructions of a 
judicious, devout, and most princely Leader — 
the late Joseph White, of Urbana, Ohio. There 
I was nursed, built up, established, and made 
strong, until I was appointed to a class over 
which I had happy and successful charge."* 
Thus are Class Leaders trained. 

To the class-meeting is largely due, also, the 
power of exhortation which distinguishes Meth- 
odism. It may be safely said that no people can 
exhort like Methodist laymen. It is in the class- 
room they learn the art of public address. 
There they not only speak, but constantly listen 
to the speaking of others, and thus they acquire 
skill in the appropriate expression of thought 
and feeling which renders them so effective in 

* I. N. Kanaga. Letter to the author. 



336 The Class Leader. 

exhortation. Divest the Methodist laity of its 
hortatory power and you deprive the Church 
of an arm of its strength. That power is the 
fruit chiefly of class-meeting training. 

Shall not the Methodist class-meeting, then, 
be maintained in all its original efficiency? 
Shall not its Leaders and members rally to its 
support, and increase, as far as they may, its 
interest and usefulness ? It is a great means 
for training workers in Christ's vineyard, and 
of promoting an emotional religion, which is 
none other than the religion of the heart, the 
religion of the Bible, the religion Which St. 
Peter so eloquently describes when he says, 
" Whom having not seen, ye love ; in whom, 
though now ye see him not, yet believing, 
ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of 
glory." 

I know there are those who deprecate an 
emotional religion. They would have it chiefly 
of the brain. They recoil from any demonstra- 
tion of strong religious feeling. But God's 
ways are not their ways. He has made man 



Training Christian Workers. 337 

an emotional being. He has placed in his na- 
ture capabilities for the most profound and 
diverse feelings. And so intimately has he 
joined the intellectual and emotional natures, 
that they go hand in hand, acting by and 
through each other. Man lives, thinks, learns, 
works, and achieves largely by means of his 
emotions. Only through their medium does the 
intellect apprehend the highest and divinest 
truths, for with " the heart man believeth unto 
righteousness." Religion sways the whole of 
the emotional nature. 

Those who deride Methodism for the en- 
couragement and culture it gives to religious 
feeling are as unphilosophical as they are 
uncharitable and unscriptural. They might 
as well deride the electricity which flames 
and roars in the atmosphere. Such critics, 
could they do so, would muffle the thunders, 
and tone down the tempests to softly sighing 
winds. Despite criticism and scornful de- 
rision, our soul-thrilling Christianity has gone 
on its way shouting and triumphing, and time 



338 The Class Leader. 

shall never witness the hush of its rejoicings. 
Above the din of critics sounds the command 
from the heavens, " Be glad in the Lord, and 
rejoice, ye righteous ; and shout for joy all ye 
that are upright in heart." The class-meeting 
is necessary to the general maintenance of 
this joy, and the befitting and scriptural ex- 
pression of it in Methodism. 

The devoted, genial, and gifted Eddy, of the 
Methodist Missionary Society, has just illus- 
trated this joy and triumph in his death. Dr. 
Dashiell, who was much with him in his last 
hours, says : " He went down into the valley like 
a crowned and conquering king." He stretched 
out his hands, trembling in death, and pro- 
nounced upon his family the apostolic benedic- 
tion. He attempted to clap his hands together, 
but he was so weak they passed each other, 
and he shouted/'Halleluia ! Halleluia ! Halle- 
luia ! " His last words were " Eternity dawns !" 

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